Being With Jesus: Solitude and SilenceSample

What are Solitude and Silence?

Solitude is the intentional step of removing ourselves from the presence of others to seek the presence of God alone. For most of us, our days are packed with many activities leaving little space where we are truly alone. From morning until evening, we do life with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. A great deal of time and energy is invested in these natural relationships.

When we practice solitude, we choose to step away from the comfort of our day-to-day relationships. These relationships make us feel safe and give us meaning and purpose. As husbands and wives, we love and care for our spouses. As parents, we care for, train, and guide our children. As coworkers, we collaborate with our peers to stretch and grow our God-given talents. And as neighbors, we invest in those living around us to further God's kingdom and enjoy the diverse stories of those whose lives look so different from ours.

In solitude, we temporarily step away from our daily responsibilities to our community. Solitude is not isolation nor an attempt to escape the most important relationships God has placed in our lives. We were not created to live alone, and to develop into the likeness of Christ we must engage in the vital role community plays in our life. However, many Christians often overlook the most important relationship we have. We often fail to carve out regular time alone with God without distractions. In solitude, we step away from the more natural connections we crave in the physical world to focus on our relationship with God intentionally.

Over the next three days in this reading plan, we will look at how your unique personality impacts your quiet time with God, how your quiet time with Jesus is a gift to you and your community, and how as a community of Christ followers, we need each other to become more like Jesus.