Over the years, I’ve kept quotes about the discipline of solitude. Below are a few, followed by some of my thoughts:
- “In stark aloneness it is possible to have silence, to be still, and to know that Jehovah indeed is God (Ps. 46:10), to set the Lord before our minds with sufficient intensity and duration that we stay centered upon him—our hearts fixed, established in trust (Ps. 112:7–8)—even when back in the office, shop, or home.” Dallas Willard, Spirit of the Disciplines, 162
- “Getting away, quiet and alone, is no special grace on its own. But the goal is to create a context for enhancing our hearing from God in his word and responding back to him in prayer. Silence and solitude, then, are not direct means of grace in themselves, but they can grease the skids—like caffeine, sleep, exercise, and singing—for more direct encounters with God in his word and in prayer.” David Mathis, Habits of Grace, 139
- “Solitude is the Spiritual Discipline of voluntarily and temporarily withdrawing to privacy for spiritual purposes. The period of solitude may last only a few minutes or for days. As with silence, solitude may be sought in order to participate without interruption in other Spiritual Disciplines, or just to be alone with God and think.” Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 225
- “But the news about him [Jesus] spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.” Luke 5:15-16
SOME THOUGHTS:
- Thinking “solitude” is foreign to many of us. Some of us who are more introverted (as I am) still find it hard to make time to be alone. Others who are more extroverted can’t imagine not being with people; after all, what might we miss while we’re alone?
- Solitude is not a means to escape people. It does allow us time without others around us, but its goal is to grow us in our spiritual walk by tuning our ears to listen. There’s intentionality in the effort of solitude.
- Solitude need not be long, but it must be purposeful. Even 15 minutes to step away from the chaos and to listen more intently to God should have purpose. Taking a short break away from people can be renewing.
- I recommend daily short times and monthly longer times of solitude. A daily quiet time with the Lord can be solitude if we step away from others to do it. Most of us need that kind of focus to hear the Lord well. For me, a monthly time of one hour of solitude—usually a time of hiking or sitting in nature, and often on a day when I’m also committed to fasting—is remarkably refreshing.
- Don’t expect life-transforming moments every time, but do expect to know God better as a result of a time of solitude. I’ve had times of great mountaintop experiences, but I’ve also had routine, simple times with the Lord. Never had I had a time of solitude, though, without some movement toward God.
- Start today or tomorrow. We typically need to plan for a time of solitude, but all of us can start somewhere. Before the Lord’s day comes this Sunday, find even a few minutes to get away from others and alone with God. For a longer time, check out this post: “8 Reasons to Set Aside Two Hours of Silence and Solitude This Week.”