The world’s denizens—you, me, all of us—are living on a planet STARVED FOR SOLITUDE and connection that transcends the transactional and life-less living we step through day after day after day.
That reality produces a compounding pain: These people are largely UNAWARE of how this STARVATION FOR SOLITUDE is consuming their soul and many of them will never be alone with God and feel his warm rays of joys cascading over and through them.
Overstated? Not when you consider the truth that gives it life: We need SOLITUDE with God because:
JESUS needed it:
“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
JESUS commanded it:
“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9
Solitude is a life-giving NECESSITY for Christians walking with Jesus. It gives us the strength we need to fight the spiritual battles in our war with the world, the flesh, and Satan.
A faith walk without SOLITUDE with God produces a deep and bone-shaking LONELINESS that empties out our energy. A faith walk that includes SOLITUDE with God fills us up with his truths and hope.
Solitude with God lightens the load life puts on our shoulders. It refocuses our heart and mind on Christ.
Solitude with God LOOSENS THE GRIP of anything and everything that would compete with Christ in our life.
Solitude with God is a TRANQUILIZER for anxiety and worry and fear and anger and pride and lust and me-centricity. Over time, solitude with God puts those things in a coma.
HOW do we get solitude with God? Below are just two of the “starters”
- Find a place where you know you won’t be distracted.
- Quiet your mind and heart from its chatter and worry.
- Momentarily set aside reading and studying the Bible.
I ask God to remind me that SOLITUDE with him is a practice and habit that will build power and momentum over time. To help me fight off the world’s noise that would divert my attention away from HIM.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Is your soul hungry or starving for more SOLITUDE with God? What can you do this week to correct that?
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” Isaiah 30:15
