Solitude. Even the word sounds lonely. I admit that sometimes I want to be alone, but never do I want to be lonely. A restricted solitude, like solitary confinement, would be extra brutal. No touch, no interaction, no…nothing from anybody. How can the will to survive remain? Could severe solitude be good?
Some examples in Christian history bear witness that solitude is very fruitful, and possibly more effective than the busyness of Christian ministry or doing good.
For instance, when Paul was imprisoned from his missionary travels and confined from the masses he desired to speak to, he wrote letters of teaching and exhortation to those he’d met along life’s journey. Much of the New Testament’s writing comes from Paul’s solitude and has delivered the hope of God to people for two thousand years.
Another example was a preacher named John Bunyon. While he was in confinement in a dark dungeon, he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress. It’s a story about coming to Christ and learning to live as a Christian, and is still read generations later making a difference in the lives of many.
These examples show that when forced into solitude and limited interaction with people, many turned to God to fill the void. The resulting closeness to God made them more effective than if they’d remained in freedom and busyness. God used them to create works of great influence that lasts.
If God in human form needs solitude, I can’t imagine how much more I need it. But It’s against my nature to seek it intentionally. And I don’t like being alone. I pace the floor and become listless, feeling un…usable? It’s a feeling like I’m wasted or unworthy or something. Then doubt becomes a close friend.
I understand that in order to be effective I need solitude more than I need an audience. If my purpose is to make a difference, I must be different. I need to make peace with being alone. I’m called away.
Taken aside by Jesus,
To feel the touch of His hand;
To rest for a while in the shadow
Of the Rock in a wary land.
To feel the touch of His hand;
To rest for a while in the shadow
Of the Rock in a wary land.
Taken aside by Jesus,
In the loneliness dark and drear,
Where no other comfort may reach me,
Than His voice to my heart so dear.
In the loneliness dark and drear,
Where no other comfort may reach me,
Than His voice to my heart so dear.
Taken aside by Jesus,
To be quite alone with Him,
To hear His wonderful tones of love
‘Mid the silence and shadows dim.
To be quite alone with Him,
To hear His wonderful tones of love
‘Mid the silence and shadows dim.
Taken aside by Jesus,
Shall I resist to desert place,
When I hear as I never heard before,
And see Him “face to face”? ~Streams, p. 329.
Shall I resist to desert place,
When I hear as I never heard before,
And see Him “face to face”? ~Streams, p. 329.
There’s a delicate balance between solitude and interaction. Sorry Facebookers, twitterers, and bloggers. Friends of all kinds. I’m not unsociable, but at times, I need to be called away.
Are churches engaging the culture, making changes to spread the news and share the hope of Jesus? Or are they just twittering?
Once I had a friend jokingly tap me on the shoulder during the service and whisper, “Are you texting in church?” Me, a preacher’s wife, texting in church? I’ll admit to nothing. At that time I was only taking notes.
If only Blackberry had the same kind of service. I got nothing from Blackberry when I twittered, Googled, or asked in the AT&T store. Arg! Hate the lack of customer service. It felt like no one cared. Grrrr! I wanted to throw the thing through AT&T’s window. Satisfaction guaranteed! Wonder if iPhone’s people have better service?
