Solitude is refreshing.
I can almost hear your groans. Solitude is not an easy discipline. Like I said in an earlier post, silence is not easy for me. Solitude is even harder.
Webster’s defines solitude as: “1. The state of being or living alone. 2. Remoteness from habitations, a lonely unfrequented place.” It sounds depressing. And yet Jesus took time to seek solitude. (Mark 1:35)
It goes beyond being quiet, before God. Solitude means getting away from everything. You would think that for a homemaker with three children attending school it wouldn’t be a challenge; all I have to do is go to the home office and sit. But even in the office there are many distractions such as the dog, telephone, and mental reminders of all that needs to be done. So I started praying for a place I could get away to, with no distractions.
One day a missionary friend posted a picture on Facebook of a place she likes to go when she is home from the field, The House of Prayer. I found the hours of operation and decided to go.
I confess, it was a little uncomfortable at first, because it wasn’t in my own church. I almost turned around and left. Well, that excuse doesn’t work, because the church is not a building but believers.
It was beautiful and peaceful with soft instrumental music played and a water fountain flowing. With only my Bible, notebook and pencil, I chose one of the little rooms to the side, and closed the curtain. It was God with me, alone together.
By the time I left, the sense of being in His presence was overwhelming. The amazing thing was how the Holy Spirit brought scripture to mind and spoke to my heart.
It was not the building but what it provided; It was a precious time being alone with my Creator, Redeemer and Heavenly Father.
A few days later, I longed to have that time again. I finally understood the scripture that says,
“As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you. Oh God” Psalm 42:1 (NIV 1984)
My challenge to you is: to pray about a day and place that you can schedule time for solitude. It doesn’t have to be a “church” building. For you it may be a park or beach. Be intentional.
You will be glad you did.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up,
left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Mark 1:35 (NIV 1984)
Solitude with the Father 