Solitude

In our society, if we are doing nothing we are considered lazy. We fill our lives with so many activities and outings that we rarely have time to recharge. Ofter we think that our two or three hours in front of the television each night is our time to recharge. We have to create margin in our lives to be productive and keep our health and sanity. We can find peace through silence and solitude.

Jesus modeled many reasons to seek solitude in the gospels. One reason we find is preparation and prayer.

Mark 1:35 says, “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.”

Here we see Jesus taking advantage of the time when everyone else is still asleep to find silence. This was a time for him to be alone without crowds or even his disciples and prepare and pray for the day to come. Although waking up early is not on the top of anyone’s to-do list, it can be the quietest time of the day.

Jesus also took time away to grieve.

Matthew 14:13 says, “When Jesus heard [that John the Baptist had been beheaded], he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.”

When we encounter hard times, death or loss we must take a chance to grieve. Holding in our emotions, be it anger or sadness creates pressure in our day to day lives. We must take the time to be alone and release those emotions, so they do not affect our professional lives, our relationships, and our ministries.

Lastly, we find that Jesus withdrew many times from large crowds to be alone or just with his disciples. Being around people, especially large groups, can be exhausting.

Mark 1:45 says, “[Despite Jesus’ plea that his miracles be kept secret] the news about him spread all the more so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Jesus took the time to get away with his disciples to pray, reflect, recoup and rest.

Mark 6:31-32 says, “Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”

Jesus spent particular time alone and with his small group of friends to escape society and its influence.

Just as Jesus received ridicule for his work and beliefs, so do his followers. We must carve out time in our schedules to pray, prepare, grieve and rest. In these times we must be silent and reflect on the things God has done for us. Purposeful solitude gives us freedom from the focus of society that will otherwise mold us. Take time to put down your electronics, music, messages and just be still and quiet. Close your eyes and take the time to thank God. I will leave you with a quote:

“For many of us, the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith, it is that we will become so distracted, rushed and preoccupied that we settle for a mediocre version of it.”

-John Ortberg