Perfect Peace: Choosing Calm Over Chaos a 5-Day Plan by Maya Dawsonনমুনা

The Power of Solitude

I’ll never forget the first time I decided to take myself on a date. I was spending the summer in Atlanta, GA, alone, and wanted to be intentional about learning what I liked and what I didn’t like without the influence of friends or family. I decided to take myself to dinner and a movie…Sounds fun, right?

I think the hardest part was going to a restaurant and requesting a table for one. Walking across the restaurant, I felt like everyone was looking at me and wondering why I was alone. As I sat down, I tried to figure out where to look and what to focus on. I didn’t want to get caught “people watching,” so I just studied the menu for a long time. I slowly sipped my water and nibbled on my bread. The time between ordering my meal and waiting for it was probably the most challenging. The security blanket of my menu was now gone, so I intently looked around the restaurant and admired the paintings on the wall. It was awkward, to say the least.

Today, I relish the thought of having a meal, watching a moving, or even spending the night in a hotel ALONE. I love spending time in solitude. In fact, I recharge in solitude. But it took time for me get comfortable with solitude.

Why is solitude important? Solitude is important because God created us to be whole human beings that aren’t defined by our relationships, tasks, or titles. God created us for communion with Him. While I love coming together for corporate prayer, worship, and fellowship with others, I truly delight in spending personal time alone with God. God specifically designed each of us and knows us better than we know ourselves. He desires that we know Him intimately as well. Solitude provides an opportunity for us to intimately commune with Him one-on-one. What an amazing gift it is to commune with the creator of the universe!

Solitude with God enables me to pour out my heart to Him unapologetically, to wait on Him, and to hear His voice clearly. Solitude with God removes any competing voices and allows me to refocus on the only voice that truly matters. Solitude has also helped me to embrace the person God has created me to be.

It took a while for me to love myself, but when I realized that I was fearfully and wonderfully made, I began to appreciate how God designed me. I’m amazed by the intentionality God has put into crafting each and every one of us. We all have special gifts and a unique purpose. Solitude with God helps us to tap into these gifts and understand how we are to use them for His glory. It’s time for some one-on-one communion with God.