What are you thoughts about solitude? In our fast paced world, solitude seems like an optional luxury rather than a valuable necessity. The multitude of outside voices can seem overwhelming. There seems to be more information that we can process and we can easily lose our perspective.

God used the prophet Elijah to bring about an amazing victory at Mt. Carmel. Queen Jezebel was not happy that Elijah did away with her prophets and she vowed to kill him. Elijah was physically and spiritually exhausted and he requested that God would take his life.

God’s prescription for Elijah is instructive for us. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is get some rest and eat. Elijah needed physical and spiritual refreshment – he needed solitude.

We tend to look for God in the big events of life. Elijah looked for God in a strong wind and in an earthquake – but the LORD was not there. Where was He to be found?

After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. (1 Kings 19:12)

God was in the gentle breeze, the Hebrew word for gentle blowing conveys the idea of small or fine – it is literally the sound of silence. When is the last time you experienced solitude? Here are some benefits of solitude:

Enables you to hear from God – So Moses said, “I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” (Exodus 3:3)

Deepens your knowledge of God – Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Gives you peace – The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

Provides clarity and direction – In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. (Mark 1:35)

Offers time for reflection – And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31a)

If solitude is so important, why don’t we practice it more? Some people fear solitude because they don’t know how to be alone. Dietrich Bonhoeffer made this observation, “We are so afraid of 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.”

Jesus began His ministry with forty days in solitude. Solitude was a pattern that characterized His entire ministry:

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. (Luke 5:16). 

Solitude is having an audience with God. Getting alone with God enables you to leave the noise of the world and hear His still, small voice.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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