Solitude
links: Spiritual Disciplines MOC
Solitude frees us, actually. This above all explains its primacy and priority among the disciplines. The normal course of day-to-day human interactions locks us into patterns of feeling, thought, and action that are geared to a world set against God. Dallas Willard – The Spirit of the Disciplines
In Solitude, we are forced to cling unto Jesus
Solitude is hard. There is a reason solitary confinement is a means of torture. Community is a need for everyone and without it, we can only survive when we cling unto Jesus.
In Solitude, all of our idols are exposed. Here it is just me and God.
Solitude was a top priority for Jesus.
Mark 6 illustrates this well:
- 31: There wasn’t even time to eat
- Jesus invites them to be with him: The true rest we need is in Jesus
- 32: Then, sometimes “life punches you in the face”. People happen.
- 45: 5000 lunches later, Jesus went up to pray. It was late, not because he was “so spiritual” but because there was no other time
The busier and more in demand and famous Jesus became, and the more he withdrew to his quiet place to pray.
Related: Attentional space, Giving attention is giving authority