Have you ever lost your balance? Have you ever driven a car that had unbalanced tires? When a tire is out of balance – it can affect a lot of things.
Sometimes we lose our balance on ice – and we fall. Sometimes we lose our balance in life and we fall too.
One of the most neglected areas in our life is solitude. We live in a world where business and activity is the norm – but you don’t hear many people talk about silence and solitude – do you?
But do you know that silence and solitude were a regular pattern of life for Jesus? Jesus found time for silence and solitude – even in the business of His life.
How many of you like peace and quiet? (Most people will raise their hands.) Do you really? If I take my watch and say, “Ok, what we are going to do for the next five minutes is be perfectly still and quiet. There will be no talking – there will be no looking around – also there will be no sleeping – (sleeping does not count.) – all you can do is sit there and be still.” Do any of you think you would be uneasy with that request? I think that some of us would shutter at the thought of absolute silence – absolute stillness. In our fast pace world silence and solitude don’t usually make it to the top of our priority list.
What is Solitude?
Just as fasting is the abstinence from food for spiritual purposes, solitude is the withdrawing to privacy for spiritual purposes.
Solitude and Silence - like soup & sandwich the two do go together. Even when we do not fill our lives with people, we can fill our lives with noise – the T.V. or radio on to “keep us company.” In modern times we have every convenience to fill our ears and eyes with noise which serves to drown out the voice of God in our ears and the image of God from our eyes. True solitude removes ourselves from company, but it also removes ourselves from other distractions as well.
There is Joy in Solitude
There is nothing better than to spend time in solitude with God. When life gets really busy, and even when it doesn’t, my heart cries out for a day or just a portion of a day when I can get away on my own and be with God.
Nothing replenishes my soul like solitude.
There are times when I am able to go out with just one of my kids – either to do something special, or to run errands. Inevitably doing these times, they will say to me, “ I really like these times when we’re together, just you and I.” When I can get away for extended periods of solitude, inevitably, I say to God, “Jesus, I really like these times when we’re together, just you and I.”
The Fear of Solitude
Our fear of being alone drives us to noise and crowds. We keep up a constant stream of words. We buy radios that strap to our wrist or fit over our ears so that if no one else is around at least we are not condemned to silence. T. S. Eliot analyzed our culture so well when he wrote, “Where shall the world be found, where will the word resound? Not here, there is not enough silence.”
But loneliness or clatter are not our only alternatives. We can cultivate an inner solitude and silence that sets us free from loneliness and fear. Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment. Solitude is not first a place but a state of mind and heart.
Dietrich Bonheoffer wrote, “We are so afraid of the silence that we chase ourselves from one event to the next in order not to have to spend a moment alone with ourselves, in order not to have to look at ourselves in the mirror.”
There is great value in seeking silence and solitude in our lives. In this fast paced world – it is not uncommon for most of us to miss tranquil times of quiet. Many of us always seem to be in a rush. I do not know if you realize this or not, but Jesus used silence and solitude quite a bit during His life and ministry. He did not get away by Himself just get away from people - but He used silence and solitude as a means of getting closer to God and minister more effectively to people. He knew that He needed to maintain a close relationship with God – if He wanted to be effective in His ministry. He wanted a close relationship with the father. He wanted to hear God whisper. He wanted to hear that “still small voice” of The Father speak to Him. So – He sought solitude and silence – so that He could hear God’s voice clearer.
Here are some times and places we find Jesus in solitude:
1. Solitude at the beginning of ministry
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry the scripture tells us:
“Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.” Matthew 4:1-2 (NKJV)
If you recall – this event took place right after the baptism of Jesus where the heavens opened and a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son – in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus then seeks solitude and silence – and in the process He is tempted by Satan.
Silence and solitude – your quiet time with God – will help you resist Satan.
Do you recall how Jesus resisted Satan? Do you remember? Jesus resisted Satan by the use of scripture. Where did Jesus learn scripture and its application? From the study of the scriptures and quiet time with God. Nothing can substitute in your spiritual growth – for your quiet time with God. God wants to have a relationship with you – and that relationship is enhanced by the time you spend with Him. Seek solitude and silence – in building a relationship with your Heavenly Father.
2.Solitude before making important decisions
The second example of the silence and solitude of Jesus is right before He goes out and chooses the twelve apostles.
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.” Luke 6:12-13 (NKJV)
It is never a bad idea to pray before making major decisions in your life – Jesus did! Jesus sought silence and solitude with the Father before He made the decision of the choosing of the twelve.
3. Solitude at the death of a close friend
You recall the story of John the Baptist –
“He (Herod) sent and had John beheaded in the prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus. Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself.” Matthew 14:10-13a (NASV)
At the hearing of the news about the death of John the Baptist – Jesus sought solitude and silence. The storms of death will more than likely touch each and every one of our lives. For many of us – it has already happen. A parent – a grandparent – a sibling – a spouse – a friend – can be touched by death – and it is times like those that we may need to seek silence and solitude with our Father in heaven. We need His strength and support as we travel through “the valley of the shadow death.” I know this was true of Jesus and I know that these times seek the Father too.
A second incident takes place later on in the same chapter. It seems that Jesus popularity kept growing and so did the demands of the crowds.
4. Solitude At the pressure of popularity
“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 (NASV)
popularity has its own pressure – as well as the fast pace world we live in. There are times we need to seek silence and solitude to help us recharge our batteries for the challenges that may lie right around the corner. Daily pressures can take a toll on us.
On July 7, 2009 a private service was held at Forest Lawn cemetery at 8 a.m. for Michael Jackson also called the “King of Pop”. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) blocked all traffic as the motorcade proceeded from Forest Lawn to the Staples Center where the public memorial ceremony was to be held. The LAPD spent over a million dollars providing police protection for the event. Literally millions of people from around the world have been exposed to the news of Michael Jackson’s death. Today – because of his popularity – Michael Jackson’s burial site remains a mystery. Popularity has its pressure.
As the popularity of Jesus increased – so did the demands placed upon Him. In Luke chapter five Jesus heals a man who was “full of leprosy”, and warns him not to tell anyone of the healing.
“However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” Luke 5:15-16 (NKJV)
Daily demands can drain us. The fast pace world in which we live – has pressures too. There are times we all need to seek silence and solitude to help us recharge our batteries for the challenges that may lie right around the corner. Daily pressures can take a toll on us. I know that Jesus sought solitude because of the demands on His life. Perhaps we should too.
5.Solitude before significant events
Jesus came as servant. He came humbly – born to humble parents. Yet in one instance in His life before the resurrection – His glory was revealed – that instance is the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. The scripture tells us:
“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” Matthew 17:1-3 (NKJV)
In one instance Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John. His face shown like the sun – His clothes became white as light. And what happened before the transfiguration? Jesus sought solitude with three of His disciples and with His heavenly Father. In the process the glory of Jesus is revealed.
Bible scholar Warren Wiersbe says: “The transfiguration of Christ is one of the key events in His earthly ministry. This was the only time His glory, veiled in human flesh, was allowed to shine forth. “Transfigure” is the same as our English word metamorphosis and means “a change from within.” This glory was not the reflection of outward light; it was the revelation of inward glory.”
The glory of Christ was revealed at the transfiguration. Before the transfiguration Jesus sought silence and solitude.
6. Solitude before facing death
Jesus knew the purpose for which He had come and that was to give His life a ransom for many. He knew that there would be an arrest, a trial and an execution. He knew what the future held for Him – so He took a group of His disciples and went to a quiet place for solitude and silence.
“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." Matthew 26:36 (NKJV)
None of us know when we are going to die. We really don’t know for sure what tomorrow holds. You may be going through good times right now – or hard times. You may be walking through the valley of the shadow of death – or walking on cloud nine. You may have your plans for the future all planned out – or you may be living one day at a time. But the most important thing you can do is build a relationship with God.
Silence At the storms of nature
There is a incident that takes place in Matthew chapter fourteen that I think should also be mentioned. It is the story of Jesus calming a raging sea. He had sent them on ahead of Him. But the Bible says that the little boat was, “battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.” But what happened next was a miracle. Jesus came to them walking on the water. Of course all of you remember that Peter asks Jesus if he can walk on the water with Him – and Jesus says, “Come!” Of course Peter does and then he begins to sink. Jesus reaches out His hand and saved Peter from the sea. But do you remember what happened next? It is found in verse thirty two. “…when they climbed into the boat the wind died down.” Matthew 14:32
– not only does Jesus practice silence and solitude – He can provide silence in our raging life. He can give calm even in the midst of chaos. The storms of life will often batter us – but Jesus can provide peace in the midst of our pressures.
Look at Psalm eighty nine :“You (God) rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.” Psalm 89:9 (NASV)
In the book of Job it says:“All by himself he stretches out the heavens and strides on the waves of the sea.” Job 9:8 (MSG)
God can provide calm even in the midst of calamity. What does God tell us to do when the stress and pressure seems to be beyond our breaking point?
The Bible says, “Be still.” In the midst of it all, God says, “Be still.”
Have you noticed the amount of noise in our lives? There are so many things begging for our attention. There are radios everywhere; in your house, people carry them around on their hips when they’re walking or running. Often, we can’t seem to start our cars without turning on the radio. Our children want our attention. The boss wants to talk to us. We have phones constantly ringing. When you leave the house, you carry one with you so folks can get in touch with you.
You walk in the house and turn on the TV so the house won’t be so quiet. Someone has said that 3 words can summarize how most of us spend our lives - hurrying, worrying, & scurrying. But God says, “Be still.”
God can be your refuge, He can be your strength; but only if you stop long enough to listen; only if you stop long enough to let Him speak.
Jesus got so much done during the 3 years of His ministry, He had people wanting His attention all the time. Jesus, heal me. Jesus, come visit me. Jesus, teach me; and yet He always found time to get alone with God; to be quiet.
Listen to what Isaiah says: Isaiah 30:15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Muddy water becomes clear if you only let it be still for a while. The same is true of us. When we sit still, the stillness:
1. gives God the opportunity to change our perspective. We rethink our attitudes about people and events...
2. It takes the world off our shoulders for a time & interrupts our habit of constantly managing things, of being in control, or thinking we are.
Seek Him in silence and solitude – for when the storms come – you will be prepared.
Jesus set an example for us of seeking solitude – so let’s look at:
Six Benefits of Solitude
I. We will gain greater STRENGTH from God
Look at what Psalm chapter thirty four says:“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” Psalms 34:4 (NKJV)
Psalm chapter thirty seven says;“The Lord is the saviour of the upright: he is their strength in the time of trouble.” Psalms 37:39 (BBE)
I don’t know about you – but when times of trouble come in my life – I want to have as much strength as possible. Solitude – a quiet time alone with God will help strengthen you.
2. Solitude Helps Me Hear The VOICE Of God
God calls us to enter our closets when we pray. Do you remember that passage of scripture where Jesus tells us to pray in our “inner room”? It is found in Matthew chapter six: “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Matthew 6:6 (NASV)
Now this passage of scripture is not speaking against public prayer – but there are times when we all need to get away to spend private time with the Father. The Father wants for us to seek Him.
In Psalm chapter forty six verse ten the King James Version says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
In First Kings chapter nineteen Elijah is seeking God – and here is what it says:“A great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11-12 (KJV)
There are times when God speaks in a whisper. There are times that God speaks in “a still small voice”. If we are filling our lives with noise – it is hard to hear Him. If we are filling our lives with activities it is hard to see Him.
I personally find early morning the best times to do my Bible Study . Before anyone else is up at my house – I strive to spend some time alone with God. I have found that stepping out of the busyness of the day helps me hear God’s voice better.
John chapter ten says:"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 (NASV)
We need to be still. We need to be silent. We need to seek solitude at times to clearly hear God’s voice.
3. Solitude Helps Me Build INTIMACY With God
When I have been alone with God – my relationship with Him becomes deeper and I can worship Him better. My understanding of Him grows.
Our intimacy with God is reflected by our commitment to God. Our commitment to God is reflected by the amount of time we spend with God. Jesus gives us the invitation to spend time with Him – when He says:“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (NASV)
4. We will gain a greater TRUST in God
Proverbs chapter three tells us:“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 (NASV)
I have found in my own life – the more time I spend with God – the more I trust Him. He has always been faithful to me – even though I have not always been faithful to Him.
The book of Hebrews tells us:“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:16 (NASV)
Faith is belief in action. If you really believe something you act on it. The Psalmist tells us:“My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 (NASV)
To trust in the Lord takes faith. To wait in silence takes faith. To seek God in solitude takes faith. But the promise is – “He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
5. Solitude Helps Me Become SPIRITUALLY Restored
In this world we get bumped, bruised and battered. Jesus had the daily pressures – that were wearing Him down – pressing in on Him – so He sought solitude with God. He knew that an intimate relationship with the Father would restore Him spiritually – and so He sought out God in solitude. The storms of life can leave us crashed and crushed. But Jesus can spiritually restore us.
The gospel of Mark gives us different insights into the death of John the Baptist. Follow along with me as I read:”(They) brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb. And the apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.” Mark 2:28-32 (NASV)
Do you see the invitation in this passage of scripture? “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.” Jesus still offers invitations. Jesus still says to us, "Come". Jesus stills the storms of life – because that is what He does. He still gives invitations. He still offers healing.
Mark chapter eleven says:"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NASV)
6. We will develop a deeper RELATIONSHIP with God
Setting aside time to be alone with God – quality time with God – will deepen your relationship with Him. God has always been a God of invitation. He always invites us to get closer to Him. Look at Isaiah chapter one:"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)
Matthew chapter eleven in the Message Bible says:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” Matthew 11:28 (MSG)
How to practice Solitude
Traditionally, Christians have called this practice “having a quiet time.” It is taking 10 or so minutes out of your day, finding a place that you can be alone and quieting yourself before God. Start with 10 minutes, and then you may find that you want more time. Many people read and meditate on scripture or use a devotional guide to help them. The important thing is to get alone and recognize God’s presence with you.
It would be great to set a space aside as Solitude space, so that even when there are people in the house, if they see you in that space, they know that you are wanting as much solitude as can be afforded. Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles had a very large family. When she needed solitude, she would bring her apron up over her head, so that she could pray and read scripture without being bothered by the myriad of children.
Once you have learned the discipline of solitude, you can steal solitude in the most everyday places when you get alone. Try not turning on the radio when you get in the car. Recognize God’s presence as you ride the elevator alone. Walk through a park and be conscious of walking with God.
Our rest is in Jesus – our hope is in Jesus – our healing is in Jesus.
Have you heard God’s invitation to you? Have you heard Him say, “Come away with Me. Visit with Me. Lets get away for awhile. Meet me in solitude – so we can be together – alone.” Seek Him today. Set some time aside to be alone with Him. He would like that – and I think – you will too.
