Solitude

 

" And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time."

Mark 1:35

 

Some people like to be alone. They do not like crowds or even small gatherings. They much prefer their own company. Then some do not like being alone at all. They seek out the crowds and love gatherings of all kinds. Of course, there is that middle group that likes gatherings and enjoys their time alone. We like to think of these dear folks as well-rounded; however, being well-rounded is only good if you are a pumpkin.

            Solitude is very different than being alone. Solitude has a purpose. Solitude is deliberate and has a beginning and an end. David Roper (one of my favorite authors) put it this way, "And we need solitude, far from the madding crowd – not mere privacy but time alone with God, a regular specific time and place to read His word, pray, worship – a beginning place from which we can practice God's presence through the day."

            Jesus Himself made solitude a practice He followed daily. He would often get up early in the morning to have His time with the Father. Does this mean we all must get up early to have a time of solitude? I don't believe so. I believe that He got away on His own early because He knew that He would not have any time to Himself the rest of the day. The point is not the time of day but the time with God. What works best for you is the best time to practice solitude.

            I have my time with God around 5:00 AM every morning. It is not because I am a super disciplined person. When my daughters were small, I was a single father. Once they got up, I had to get them ready for the day and off to where they needed to be. I then had to go to work; after work, I picked them us and had to get their dinner and have some time with them. Once they were ready for bed, so was I. The only way I could have some me-time was to get up before they did. After all the years of them growing up, it became a habit, and I have stuck with it.

            What time is good for you. Is getting up a bit earlier best or staying up a bit later. Maybe it is during your lunch break or in place of some TV time. Find what time is best for you and make it happen. Our time with God is the most crucial time of the day. Without it, we are weak and vulnerable to the temptations and roadblocks in the world. Theologian and author Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) wrote, "Without solitude, it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life."

            If you do not already have a regular time with the Lord, may I encourage you to set aside a time and keep it for one month? At the end of that month, see if your life, attitude, and outlook have not improved. Once you establish a regular time with the Lord, you will never be without it.

 

You can learn more about Personal Development from the author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey. To get his books, training material, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website: www.growthcenter.net.  © 2022 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this material may be reprinted or published without the author's written permission.