In the wilderness, Jesus experienced Solitude: “the state or situation of being alone.”
Solitude may come to us by choice or by circumstance. Jesus was led into solitude by the Holy Spirit, but throughout His ministry, He voluntarily chose solitude again and again.
But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:16 NLT
After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
Night fell while he was there alone. Matthew 14:23 NLT
Being alone is not the same as loneliness.
Prior to the late sixteenth century, the word loneliness was not a regular part of the English language.
The more common word was oneliness, which meant “aloneness.”
Far from having negative connotations, “oneliness” was seen as an opportunity to connect with God
and to have space to be with yourself.
April Fiet, The Sacred Pulse
“In solitude, I get rid of my scaffolding.” Henri Nouwen
(Scaffolding: the stuff we use to prop ourselves up – friends, family, TV, radio,
books, job, technology, work, achievement, our bank account, etc.)
Solitude reminds us that we are human “beings,” not human “doings.”
Solitude is a chance to “unplug” from distractions, to hear our own thoughts.
It is the space to be present without hurry or interruption, to connect with the Creator.
Solitude, as a spiritual discipline, calls us to keep company with God.
Jan Winebrenner, Intimate Faith
Our inner life is like a banana tree filled with monkeys jumping up and down.
It is not easy to sit and trust that in solitude God will speak –
not as a magical voice but as knowledge that grows gradually over the years.
And in that word from God we will find the inner place from which to live our lives.
Solitude is where Jesus listened to God.
It is where we listen to God.
Solitude is where community begins.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
