This Sunday, elder David Sanchez shared about the importance of solitude. David shared that “solitude is a healthy, personal discipline that allows you to engage in a meaningful time of reflection alone with God.” Solitude is not the same as loneliness and can be experienced in so many different ways. For a busy parent, it could be getting 15 minutes alone while talking and listening to God while in the shower. For others it could be sitting outside soaking in the Texas heat and sweating in your backyard, just taking a few moments alone after a long day. Although I enjoy my solitude in the bathroom, I enjoy my solitude while taking in the scenery of what our Father has created; like sitting on the beach or sitting in a gazebo at our local botanical garden. The best time of solitude for me was standing and staring out over the Grand Canyon soaking in His majestic creation.

Jesus set the example for us as he chose to spend time in solitude while withdrawing from the crowds of people. He was teaching to people in the thousands and after that time, he withdrew and spent his time in solitude. I think of it as a time he was re-charging his batteries. David shared with us the importance of Jesus spending time in solitude. Jesus often needed solitude after the demands of teaching, healing, and performing miracles. He knew he needed intimacy with His Father to care for His soul and prepare for the cross, and Jesus prioritized getting away and alone with God even though His time on earth was short.

Here is a list of reasons to practice solitude:

Purposefully remove the influence of others for a time
Deliberately remove the expectations of others
Hear your own heart speak
Find rest and refreshment
Discover that others can live without you
Find that the world does not rest on your shoulders
Adequately reflect on your past and chart your future
Break the cycle of busyness in your life
Become better equipped to show patience with others
Feed your soul

This week we will spend time preparing our hearts for a time of solitude and then spend time in solitude beginning with just a few minutes a day. The goal will be that you feel rested, refreshed, closer to God and that your heart has been nourished.

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Monday: Finding Sacred Space

Take time today for a find a space for you to talk and listen to God. Search your home for a quiet corner, a comfy chair, or go outside and find a nice spot to just rest. In that space selected for solitude, you want to remove distractions, silence your phone. Take as little as possible with you in the space. Like David mentioned, you can take your Bible, and a small writing tablet to write down what God is sharing with you.

During this time of solitude, the goal is to hear Him, not everything around you; you want to listen to His voice. Like David mentioned on Sunday, “It is learning how to be still so you can discern God’s voice and feel his presence.” For me, spending time on a Sunday afternoon, sitting on my bed, with my bedroom door closed, writing the ‘Ten Minutes with God,’ is a time of solitude for me. I shut out the outside noise; my family knows not to disturb me, and I get time to reflect on Sunday’s message, focus on the scriptures taught, and reflect and listen to God as I write.

Reflection/ Action: Read John 6:15. “When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.”

Jesus sought solitude by slipping away into the hills by himself. After finding your sacred space, plan to spend time daily this week in this place. Wherever your space may be, spend time in prayer. Pray to our Heavenly Father that he will join you during this time of solitude. Tell your Abba, Father that you want to feel His presence. Spend time drawing nearer to Him today. Ask Him to prepare your heart and allow Him to speak to you and pray that you open your heart to listen to Him.

Tuesday: Take Time

Now that you have found a place of solitude, you need to take time with Him. Think about the quietness, try to clear your mind, and let you heart and body rest. Take a few long deep breathes. You are not alone; God is with you.

Richard Foster stated, “If we possess inward solitude, we do not fear being alone, for we know that we are not alone.”

Reflection/ Action: Read Mark 1:35 – Here are a few versions:

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (BRG)

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Yeshua got up, left, went away to a lonely spot and stayed there praying” (CJB).

“The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray” (ERV).

“The next morning Jesus got up long before daylight. He went out to a place by himself. There he talked with God” (WE).

Jesus sought solitude. Jesus woke up early before daylight. He made time before others arose to have that time with His Father. Based on these versions, Jesus went to a “solitary place,” “a place by himself, and “a place where he could be alone and pray.” He was away from the crowds around Him on earth, but he not completely alone; He was spending time talking with his Father. Spend time in prayer and ask God to guide you this week as you spend time talking to Him. Don’t rush your time with Him; He wants this time with you as much as you want time with Him.

Wednesday – Why practice Solitude?

We practice solitude to experience the presence of God. On Sunday, David Sanchez shared these reasons why we should practice solitude as a spiritual discipline:

To hear from God.

We need to spend our time to focus solely on God.

To restore our souls.

Let Him fill you when you are discouraged, or drained. Let Him fill your cup.

To be filled with the Spirit.

Our goal is to be more like Jesus.

To prepare for what God wants us to do.
Express worship and gratitude.

Reflection/ Action: Read Psalm 91:2 (NIV) – “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””

As you begin your time of solitude today, let us begin with a prayer to our Father from Psalm 91, the Message version. God, you are my refuge; “I trust in you, and I am safe!” Thank you, Father, for rescuing me from hidden traps and shielding me from deadly hazards. Thank you for your protecting arms who “fend off all harm.” I will not fear nothing that comes at me, not disease, disaster, or darkness. Thank you for not allowing harm to come near to me. Thank you, Father, for ordering your angels to guard me wherever I go. You are there to catch me when I stumble and allow me to walk unharmed. Amen.

Take refuge in the Father; listen to His voice.

Thursday – Spending Time Alone with God

We spend time in solitude to draw nearer to God. Like David mentioned on Sunday, we can’t hear God’s voice until we intentionally listen for it. When you spend your time in solitude, you are not alone. David shared, “Solitude is choosing to be alone with God and to dwell in our experience in our separation from other people.”

Reflection/ Action: Read John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Spend time in solitude today. Remember to keep your prayers simple and short; give yourself grace and be present to listen to Him. “The journey into solitude is like a journey into your heart.” Quiet your body and mind and listen to His voice.

Friday – Experiencing Solitude

As the week draws to a close, think about your time with God. Did you have any take aways from your time? Did you write anything down, discover any new realizations, or receive new guidance or direction from your Heavenly Father? Do you feel that spending time one-on-one with God has made a difference?

During this time of solitude, we are reminded that solitude, “provides (us) the opportunity to meditate on scripture, to pray, to listen, and to enjoy worshipping God in private.” Solitude simply, “gives us time to reflect.”

I have personally experienced great solitude with my heavenly Father as I have walked through the Life with God series. Life with God is an online study that will deepen your relationship with God. As you focus on scriptures and lessons weekly, you learn to spend time in solitude with God and come to many realizations about your relationship with your Holy Father. Rockhills will be starting a new group very soon; so, if you want to learn more, you can visit the Connection Table on Sunday morning or contact the church for more information.

Reflection/ Action: Read Psalm 46:10 (NET) – “He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God. I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”

Spend time in solitude. Our God is Great and Almighty! Praise His name and Listen to His voice. Do you recognize His voice? Is He getting your attention?

Saturday – Your Encounter with Solitude

This week we asked you to find a place of solitude and spend time daily in solitude. On Sunday, David gave us a list of reasons to practice solitude. Go through this list and check off those that you have encountered this week:

◻ Purposefully remove the influence of others for a time

◻ Deliberately remove the expectations of others

◻ Hear your own heart speak

◻ Find rest and refreshment

◻ Discover that others can live without you

◻ Find that the world does not rest on your shoulders

◻ Adequately reflect on your past and chart your future

◻ Break the cycle of busyness in your life

◻ Become better equipped to show patience with others

◻ Feed your soul

Reflection/ Action: Read Mark 6:31 – “because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

I pray that you have experienced His presence during your time of solitude this week. I pray that you continue to spend quality time with our Heavenly Father in solitude, on a frequent basis. You will get the rest your heart desires as you go to this quiet place. Remember to take a time out for yourself. Take time to free yourself and spend time in solitude.