Solitude

Solitude: the state or situation of being alone

I thought last week’s “Be Still” was hard. Solitude is even harder. There are probably many of you who feel like you long for solitude, but once again our culture makes it very difficult to experience it. You may be asking, “Why does solitude matter when talking about my knowing God?” Or the thought may be so foreign that you feel you wouldn’t know where to start.
First, let me explain why solitude matters. Remember two weeks ago when we talked about “simplicity”? Well, it is only through solitude that we have the time and thought process necessary to simplify. It is only when we get alone for an extended period of time that we can really look into our lives and begin to remove the clutter and junk that we have allowed to accumulate in us. It is in that quiet alone time that we can rediscover who God created us to be and redirect our steps along that path. It is then and only then that we will know what we should cut away. This was the cry of the psalmist when He said, “Search me, oh God, and know my heart.” Take a minute and read Psalm 139:1-4; 23-24, and look for his heart’s longing.
Just so you are aware, this is a hard and sometimes scary journey to take, and most people will give up on it before anything of value happens.
Often we get so caught up as Christ followers with all we are doing that we take no extended times to be with God. May I encourage you this week to find a place alone, by yourself, and spend some time resting and reflecting? The benefit to you and those you serve is well worth the effort.

-Pastor Tim