Galatians: Reading the Bible for Spiritual TransformationSample

Solitude is the Furnace of Transformation

Henry Nouwen observed the following, "Solitude is the furnace of transformation. Without solitude we remain victims of our society and continue to be entangled in the illusions of the false self... Solitude is the place of the great struggle and the great encounter - the struggle against the compulsions of the false self, and the encounter with the loving God who offers himself as the substance of the new self."

Nouwen's words point us to the third of six components from Paul's story commonly seen in every spiritual journey toward freedom in Christ: Formation through solitude.

Galatians 1:17 tells us that after encountering the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul did not go up to Jerusalem but instead "went away at once into Arabia." The details of Paul's time away in Arabia are, to a great extent, uncertain. However, the Renovare Life With God Study Bible offers the following reflection on Paul's time in Arabia, "Paul recounts that after his conversion he went to Arabia, an area in present-day Jordan east of Damascus. Because of Arabia's remote location and desert climate, he most likely went there to ponder what had happened - just as Jesus did after his baptism - and to prepare for his new life as a disciple of Christ."

Like the Apostle Paul, God is calling us to come away with Him into the quiet place. Through the regular practice of solitude, we are transformed by the Holy Spirit more and more into the character of Christ. In solitude, away from the noise of culture, God does in us what only He can do. It is here in the furnace of transformation our loving Heavenly Father removes layer by layer the desires of the flesh that are deeply entrenched in our lives (See Galatians 5:19-21), replacing them with the "fruit of the Spirit [which] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (See Galatians 5:22-23)

Friend of Jesus, do you hear Him calling your name? "My sweet child come away with Me, get lost in My presence. With every breath, let your anxious mind find true and lasting rest in Me. And watch as I restore the broken places in your heart."

Today, say yes to Jesus' invitation to follow Him. Say yes to an interactive, intimate, new life in Christ. And out of solitude, He will give you a new heart of compassion that will spill over into the lives of those He has strategically placed in your path.