The Second Outward Discipline – Solitude

Do you like to be alone or do you prefer having people around? 

How you answer this question will let you know who easy – or difficult – the discipline of solitude will be for you.  I enjoy solitude and am blessed to be in a marriage where we have learned how to be alone together! 

This discipline – also called the discipline of silence - calls us to separate ourselves from the noise of the world and be quiet ourselves.   Jesus did this a lot.  He spent 40 days in the desert before he started his ministry.  He spent the night alone in the hills before he chose the 12 disciples.  After the feeding of the 5000 he went away by himself.  With only three of his disciples he went up to what became the Mount of Transfiguration.  As he prepared for his arrest and crucifixion he sought solitude in the garden of Gethsemane.  He has given us a good model.

Solitude and silence are best practiced alone and away from the crowds and clamor that surround us, even though some people can practice this discipline in the midst of chaos!  The key here is that while silence usually involves not talking, it always involves listening.  Solitude isn’t about being lonely at all. Solitude and silence are all about listening to God.  

What are some ways to practice the discipline of solitude?

-          Take advantage of ‘little solitudes’ throughout the day.  Those moments in bed before you get up.  Turn off the radio and the telephone, and enjoy the solitude of your morning commute.

-          Find a ‘quiet place’ at home to just be alone and be silent. Foster tells about a family that has a special chair; whenever anyone sits in it he or she is saying, “Please don’t bother me, I want to be alone.

-          Find a ‘quiet place’ away from home.  A couple years ago a friend took me on her ‘serenity tour’ of Bradenton.  She showed me all the parks and special places she goes to be alone with God. 

-          Do things without explaining them.  Just do them.

-          A few times a year, take a few hours away to think about your goals for the next year, for the next 10 years.  Listen for God’s direction in your life. 

Take some time today, in this holy season, to practice the discipline of solitude and listen for God’s voice.