FROM FORSAKEN TO BELOVED

We all have longings for acceptance and love from those who are influential in our lives. We were designed by God for flourishing relationships in which we are enriched and where we enrich others. But because of the Fall, we experience all kinds of broken relationships. One manifestation of broken relationships comes when we are forsaken, left alone by someone when we really needed them to stay and help us.

The experience of being forsaken may be from any key relationship ending or being blocked— from the emotional neglect of your father or mother, from a friend moving, from children leaving, or from the death of a loved one. It may come from abuse, or from betrayal or divorce. Feelings of forsakenness may come from losing a job or retiring. A deep sense of forsakenness comes when a child is abandoned by a parent.

Someone who’s been forsaken can encounter serious, long-term psychological struggles which may adversely affect them and their future relationships. The forsaken may resist relationships for self-protective reasons. They may move from one unhealthy relationship to another because of past hurts.

The good news is, if we have a relationship with Jesus Christ we can still experience hope in the midst of being forsaken. We can find hope by remembering that we are never alone in our experience. Jesus was forsaken too. Judas, His disciple and friend, betrayed Him. Judas abandoned Him for greed. On the same night, the rest of his disciples “all forsook Him and fled.” They abandoned Him because of fear. On the cross, Jesus cried, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?” He was forsaken for our benefit. Alone, He carried away all of our sin.

Now the risen Jesus invites us into an unbreakable, secure relationship. Jesus offers His unfailing steadfast love to all who accept Him. We may waver in drawing near to Him, but He remains steadfast in His love to us. The Psalmist wrote: “the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 100:5). Because of His steadfast love, we are called His “Beloved.” “Beloved, …God chose you… to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2Thessalonians 2:13b).

“Beloved, we are God’s children now….” (1John 3:2a)

When have you been forsaken by someone you were counting on?

How has that experience impacted you?

How has the Lord touched your heart or spoken to you in your forsakenness?