The power and fruit of solitude are not topics persistently discussed... We are often taught on the importance of not being alone during trials and whilst this holds truth, it is not THE TRUTH in all circumstances.
The dictionary describes solitude as the state or situation of being alone. And for many of us this is a time of being alone; a true season of solitude.
Every season will bear different requirements, and we need to be sensitive to what those are and understand why.
Solitude provides grace and it will grant you the grace needed for "what’s next". A place where He has your undivided attention and your vision can be adjusted/enhanced. Solitude will permit an impartation (a transfer) through The Holy Spirit to take place.
We can be deceived into thinking we are busy, when the reality is we are busy being distracted! The enemy is so cunning that he will have you thinking that you canonly enter a place of solitude when you have peace. The divine place of solitude is where the peace you are desperately seeking is found.
It is so easy for noise to become our norm that we fear silence and are afraid of being alone with our thoughts. The scary truth is that the norm of this noise is drowning out the still, small voice of God desperately trying to get our attention.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” – Luke 5:16. There are several examples in the Bible where Jesus made solitude a priority. Jesus used solitude for preparation, prayer, and rest. He understood that one cannot pour from an empty cup ( a fact we often dismiss). Jesus spent enough time in solitude that he was able to serve from the overflow. We must get to a place where we pour out from the overflow, not an empty cup! Serving others from the overflow enables us to serve with passion as opposed to obligation. And the fruits of passion far outweigh the mediocrity of obligation.
Cultivating a habit of solitude enables us to be like Jesus in the boat, sleeping through the storm (Mark 4:38-40). It builds an indestructible confidence to face the tide ahead because the oil received is sufficient for the storm. In and outside of solitude we must ask God for fresh oil; yesterday’s oil will not suffice!
It is also important to differentiate the difference between solitude and isolation. Solitude is with God whereas isolation is a place in which we remain by ourselves. The enemy desires to isolate us and God’s desire is to meet us in the place of solitude. Solitude is intentional and something we actively seek, whereas isolation tends to come as a result of something negative. Unfortunately, this is where pride creeps in! Pride thrives in isolation but it’s death is in solitude. Isolation via the enemy tells us that we do not need anyone, and solitude reveals to us through the spirit of God who He has sent to help us.
Sometimes we have to sit in the traffic jam and resist the urge to take the side road to get there faster. We must stay in the traffic so we can drive past the danger that was intended for us, so God can say “This is what the enemy intended, when he tried to take you down that side road.. My traffic was intentional!”
Solitude is that traffic jam...that standstill where you are not in control but can only flow with the direction of your Father.
Solitude will call forth a decluttering of your mind and grant you the necessary recharge!
Solitude will develop intimacy, growth and dependency on God.
When there is too much noise- RETREAT!
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