Spiritual PathwaysSample

Solitude & Community

This week, we have examined different ways men can connect with God. We believe that Jesus is the only pathway to the Father (John 14:4-6), but we also acknowledge that He has made us all differently and beautifully and that there are many ways by which a man can draw closer to God.

A classic spiritual pathway is the “Solitude” pathway (Matthew 6:6). Men on this pathway feel closest to God while alone with Him.

The Solitude journey tends to be for introverts, who naturally need alone time to refresh and recharge. While men on this path still need other people, they will feel most renewed by the Spirit in their time alone with God. They can certainly enjoy Sunday worship or group Bible study, but they are more likely to have their best God moments in the car, on a walk, or resting quietly in His presence. Through being alone with God, they find peace in their souls and are recharged in their spiritual journey.

Men of Solitude look to the fact that even Jesus often withdrew to be alone with God (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). In following His example, they, too, crave “the secret place” as a place of communion with God.

A different pathway approach is the “Community” or “Relational” pathway (1 John 1:7). These are the men who feel closest to God when they are spending time with other people.

Just as introverts tend towards the Solitude pathway, extroverts tend towards the Community pathway. Silence and solitude can be challenging; talking with others is much more refreshing! As they engage in public worship, group study, and deep discussion of spiritual things, the sharing and listening fires them up and gives them a strong sense of strengthening in their soul and their faith. They learn the most and grow the most when hanging out with others.

The book of Acts church (and much of the New Testament letters,) clearly emphasizes the value of community as the people of God join together (Acts 2:42). Through this community, faith grows, gifts are shared and received, and the people of God are filled with the Spirit together (Ephesians 5:18).

We all need alone time and with other people time as well, of course, but men will tend to lean one way or the other. Whichever way you lean—introvert or extrovert, Solitude or Community—make sure you unapologetically carve out time for it in your spiritual life. You will feel renewed in God as you do!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for what You do in my soul when I am alone and what You do when I am with other people! May Your will be done in my life today. Amen.

Reflection: Today, take time to experiment with both pathways—spending some time in solitude and some time with others.