Seek Solitude

Solitude is tough to come by in our society. James Cerletty said, “I’m dying of easy accessibility. If Alexander Graham Bell walked into my office, I’d punch him in the nose.”

I read a study this week, and how they come up with these numbers is a mystery, but according to this particular study the average American is interrupted 74 times every day . That number has got to double if you have toddlers!  Sometimes it feels like uninterrupted time is an endangered species!

Dallas Willard says, “I don’t know of any answer to busyness other than solitude or tragedy.” Either solitude is forced upon us via tragedy. Or we have to go get it. 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.”

You need to determine when and where you can find uninterrupted time. And then go get it. It’ll probably be very early in the morning or very late at night. While not everyone is a morning person I am and my most productive hours are 6 - 9 AM because that’s when I experience the fewest interruptions.

I love Henri Nouwen’s definition of discipline. “In the spiritual life, the word discipline means ‘the effort to create some space in which God can act.’ Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you’re not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline means to create space in which something can happen that you hadn’t planned or counted on.”

Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen.” In other words, unplug, sign-off, disconnect. This is just good-old-fashioned good advice. Take measures to avoid interruptions.

Exodus 33:7 says, “It was Moses’ custom to set up the tent known as the Tent of Meeting far outside the camp. Everyone who wanted to consult with the Lord would go there.” There was a designated meeting spot. And it was far outside the camp.  It was away from the “hustle and bustle” of camp life. It was out of earshot so they wouldn’t be distracted by the camp noise.  This may not be true of everyone, but the farther away I get the more I seem to connect with God.

There is something about leaving the “camp” that helps us connect with God and see life properly. I challenge you to find or rediscover a place where God your Father can minister to your heart and where you can be refreshed.