And… we’re back! Well I am. Back to hunting for a deeper relationship through what are lovingly called Spiritual Disciplines. And I guess they are disciplines because they need self-discipline to properly explore them. But I think I may have said before that they shouldn’t be strict or harsh – then they become religious exercises. They are things found in the bible which bring clarity from or closeness with God, and can usual be found in what Jesus did or taught. A lot would have been a part of culture at the time and means that modern society doesn’t necessarily lend itself to doing them in the same way today.
So, solitude! In a time and place where smartphones means we are easily contactable, where jobs can take up all our free time, where families and household chores can eat into our spare time and when we do find some free time it can be tempting to just curl up with a book(/movie/game/hobby…)
Solitude – in a time when lonliness affects a large percentage of society (at least in my country), especially students/young adults and the elderly, so is something to be avoided at all costs
Solitude – when finding silence is hard to do. When, even with streaming services and catch up, programmes like Gogglebox or Love Island demand that you are up-to-date, when sporting events require you to be in a specific place at a specific time or FOMO might hit.
Which brings me to solitude as a discipline I have been exploring. Jesus withdrew to a quiet place to experience some alone time with his Father, but he did it often. I found I had to quite intentionally plan time and then quite intentionally commit to actually following through and not getting distracted.
Within the last fortnight I had the opportunity to go on a sponsored 10 mile walk in the beautiful Surrey/Hampshire countryside. With in that walk there was time to talk to the people I was walking with, but also time where we would walk in silence and reflect/connect with God. And it was in that time that I realised how powerful solitude is as a discipline. It was in that time that I was reminded that God isn’t interested in comparing me to others on the journey (not just on the 10-mile walk journey but also the metaphorical journey that we all take otherwise known as life…), but God is interested in where I am on that journey spiritually, emotionally, mentally and yes, physically. I was also reminded that Jesus, while he did seek out alone time, also sought out time with friends, and when he was at his lowest moment he sought strength and companionship from his friends. And if that’s what Jesus modelled, it’s ok for me to do that too.
What I’ve also discovered is that silence, something I used to love then grew to avoid, is actually not scary. I can drive along without music playing. I can sit and not need to listen to music on Spotify (even if it is worship music – there’s a time for both). And actually, it doesn’t matter if I’m not completely up-to-date on the latest TV show – spoilers, while unfortunate, actually do no lasting damage. But setting aside time for God in solitude, to listen, maybe meditate a little on a scripture without studying it but just letting the truth of it really sink in has been good for me.
Too often I’m trying to keep up with everyone else. Too often I am comparing myself and finding myself falling short. Too often I’m trying to go alone and not share weaknesses with anyone. Guess what? That’s the opposite of what God wants. In Psalm 139, each of us is made unique. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane shares his weakness with God and calls on his friends for support.
And through setting aside time to spend in solitude with God, I was reminded of the good stuff I bring to the team. At work, I may not be the tidiest or most organised worker, but I will muck in and encourage others. What I bring to the team is just as valuable. And I was reminded that it is ok to ask for help – that doesn’t make me a burden to the people around me, it makes me human.
Solitude is hard to come by, and hard to keep up. But so far, in the small moments I have managed to work it into my diary, it has been a huge blessing to me in renewing myself and letting God speak. 2 more weeks, and I may have found a way to work it into my week (I’ll let you know, that’s gonna be the tricky bit!)
The Reason for my Hope Blog 