Thursday, October 31, 2013

Solitude

Solitude: A state or situation in which you are alone, away from society, usually by choice.

When was the last time you experienced this?

True solitude. Away from society. No cell phone. No TV. No computer. No noise. No kids. No work. No planner or calendar. Alone in peace and quiet. With nothing but the presence of God.

It's hard - there are few moments in our busy, schedule filled, "app for that" world, that we can set down our phones, close the computer, shut off the TV, and experience quiet times. Think about when your home or life is the most calm and quiet. Maybe it's early in the morning when no one is awake yet. Or late at night when the kids are in bed. What do you do in those moments? Are you usually in front of the TV or on the computer?

If you want to hear from God... you have to start listening. And it's hard to truly hear Him with all the other background noise. Your heart has to be open to listening, but that can only happen when we are in His presence. When was the last time you took time alone in solitude with God?

Here's a challenge:
Pick a time to have solitude every day. Whether that's early in the morning before work or school or later at night when the kids are in bed - choose a time and stick with it every day!

Pick a place! It doesn't make sense to try and get peace and quiet at your kitchen table when the kids are running around getting ready for school or when you're sitting in front of the TV because there are distractions. Pick a safe, serene, quiet place that is off limits to distractions when the Word is open and the eyes of your heart are open to the Lord.

Pick how you want to learn in your solitude. If you don't have your Bible with you, then how can you read the Word of God and harbor it in your heart? Start a Bible study or a book that will challenge your growth. Take index cards, pen, and paper so that you can write key verses down and start to memorize them.

If your ears, eyes, heart, and mind are filled with the noise of the world then how can you hear, see, and feel Christ?

Solitude.


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