Solitude
One of the most neglected spiritual disciplines in our culture in my opinion is the practice of solitude. Many of us avoid even the idea of being alone on a regular basis so the thought of intentionally seeking out a time to be alone without distractions is foreign to many in our culture. However, this is something that Jesus himself did often according to scripture.
Withdrawing into temporary solitude allows for us to get rid of all the distractions around us and focus on time specifically devoted to talking to God and listening to the Holy Spirit. Now I am not saying that you will for sure hear the Holy Spirit if you withdraw into solitude but taking time to be alone with God will do nothing but grow you.
Practicing solitude like any other spiritual discipline takes work especially if you want to do it consistantly. So let's talk about what you need to do to prepare for solitude.
First, find a place where you can go alone. For me the best places to practice solitude are outdoor spaces specifically, state parks. Many of these areas offer a large area to withdraw to but you are close enough to safety in case something were to happen.
Second, decide what you are going to take with you. If you are going for multiple hours things like water and snacks are a good idea. Other things to bring could include a physical Bible, notebook and pen. I would avoid using your phone for anything other than emergencies as the temptation to get on social media or something else can easily derail your efforts. I would also leave out headphones or anything else that can contribute to distracting you from focusing on God.
Finally, make any preparations you need to have a successful time in solitude. This could mean getting some extra work done either at your job or around your house. Taking care of these items ahead of time prevents the trap of going back to an overwhelming situation that discourages you from doing this again.
My challenge to you is to try and get some solitude. Maybe you need to start small by getting 30 minutes alone. You can do this at home, a city park, anywhere you can be alone and focus on God. You don’t have to start big. In fact starting big can be overwhelming and make it tough to do it repeatedly. If you regularly get some time in solitude try getting more, maybe try for a whole day.
