Do You Have Enough Dead Space? – Solitude – Part 1
by Janis Cox
In reading a chapter called “Leave Yourself Alone” in a book called Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan, I was captivated by three spiritual disciplines – Solitude, Silence and Secrecy.
I will try to tell you what I have learned in three sessions. Today’s is Solitude.
“The loss of dead space is killing us, inch by noisy inch” (page 176, Your God is Too Safe).
Mark talks about giving ourselves time for solitude – and in those moments Jesus can increase and we can decrease.
Jesus sought solitude.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35, NIV).
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place (Mark 6:32, NIV).
Jesus was slow.
This is so unlike me. I move quickly. I act quickly. I need to S-L-O-W down.
Solitude – is a space for listening.
Solitude – is not aloneness.
Solitude – this is where we meet God.
If we only talk to God and do not listen we may never hear from Him.
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Can I go slower and do more? I believe God gives us that ability. Let’s take time for some solitude this week and see what happens.
Prayer:
Father,
we know that to hear from you we need to slow down, we need to stop and we need solitude. Please help us to find that time in the coming week so we get even closer to You. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
Janis Cox
Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.
Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild andInscribe Writers Fellowship.
