The Discipline of Solitude
How would you describe the word “solitude”?
Verse of the Day
“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”
Today’s Devotional
If you asked me to describe the word “solitude”, I would have said that it is the state of being alone, not having any other humans around. While this might be technically true, it is not an accurate description of solitude with regard to our spiritual disciplines. In today’s verse, we see Jesus inviting the disciples “go off by ourselves” to a “quiet place”. Richard Foster says that silence and solitude go hand in hand.
As I was just beginning to study this topic, a friend posted something online that helped me grasp this topic. “Silence is shutting my mouth in order to hear God. Solitude is shutting the world’s mouth to hear God.” I have to do whatever is necessary to shut down the noise in order to hear God. That noise comes from many sources, both internally and externally.
Solitude, then, is intentionally seeking time alone that is quiet. Then I use this time to focus on God. I can be alone but have the TV on in the background. This would not be practicing the discipline of solitude.
Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, describes solitude in a way that makes me desperate to practice. He says,
- “Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment.”
- Solitude is more a state of mind and heart than it is a place. There is a solitude of the heart that can be maintained at all times. Crowds, or lack of them, have little to do with this inner attentiveness.
- If we possess inward solitude we do not fear being alone, for we know that we are not alone. Neither do we fear being with others, for they do not control us.
- Inward solitude has outward manifestations. There is the freedom to be alone, not in order to be away from people but in order to hear the divine Whisper better.
I love to be with people. But the more time I spend with God, the more I actually enjoy being alone. In fact, I need time alone. And there is nothing I crave more than what Foster calls the “divine Whisper”.
Later, we will get into the details of how to practice solitude. But for today, are you willing to set down your phone and computer, turn off any music or TV, shut off all the noise, and just hang out with God for a few minutes? I’ll be the first to admit that this takes practice and that my brain wanders quickly. But God, in His kindness, loves the fact that we are trying. He extends grace when our minds wander. Shouldn’t we do the same for ourselves? Simply spend this time listening.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
What does solitude mean for you?
How does being inundated with noise affect you?
What would it look like for you to be intentionally alone and quiet? How do you think that would feel?
Do you feel a sense of inner emptiness or inner fulfillment? What does that tell you?
What is the last thing you heard from the divine Whisper? Did you obey?