Question…
When you hear the word Solitude, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Do you think of, Restoration – Loneliness – Growth or Oneness?
I asked this question because as a believer it should be something you expect to experience as you journey through this life with Christ. (Mark 6:31)And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”
You may be asking, what is the reason for Solitude? I can tell you that it is more than just you separating yourself from people. It is actually a biblical practice seen being demonstrated by Jesus our Savior on more than one occasion! Solitude is something that He displayed throughout His life here on earth as a man. (Mark 1:35)And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
During your time of solitude, you withdraw yourself to privacy for spiritual purposes! Whether you find yourself here through your own choice or through the Lord’s calling, it’s needed! (Luke 5:16)But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
My advice to you is to, “not despise your quiet beginnings”…. At this moment you should look at It as an opportunity for you to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus! In this moment you can disconnect from all worldly thoughts, voices and responsibilities to devote all of your attention to Him alone. (Jeremiah 29:13) And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
This now becomes a time of pure unadulterated (vulnerability) that is shared only between you and the Father. A nakedness for only Him to explore! (Exodus 32:25 please read) – Know that they were not naked in the sense of being without clothing, but rather their spiritual condition was revealed.
This is not a time for you to feel shame, embarrassment, or denial, but this is a time to (LITERALLY)“Let Go, And Let God,” Amen!
Take this time to learn His voice, discern His voice, depend on His voice, and rely on His voice. (John 10:27)The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.
To hear from God you must be attentive to His presence; and to be attentive to His presence, you must quiet your mind and allow your heart to be receptive! Allow Him to speak to you! And open yourself up to hear in ways you’ve never allowed yourself before. (James 1:25) God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.
Ponder on that for a moment…
As believers we should all want to learn His voice, recognize His voice, obey His voice and hear from Him directly, as He reveals His will for our lives.
It troubles me when a person who says that, “they are living for God” spews out of their mouth that He doesn’t speak to them, because that’s not true…. The problem is that they can’t recognize His voice because the time is not in it to hear from Him! He is always talking to those that want His guidance.(Jeremiah 33:3)Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Keep in mind that God’s personal words to you are what becomes revelation…. Revelation to the map of His calling for your life! Not your own calling…. Not another’s calling on you…… But, His calling, Amen! (Jer.29:11)For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
There shouldn’t be one believer who can’t see God as the Father they can’t go to in the Spirit and get tucked away safely under the shelter of His wing, in total security! (Psalm 91:4)He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
In that place, He should be all you desire! Where He doesn’t have to compete with nothing or nobody for your attention! In this place you are guaranteed to develop a heart to hear from your inner ear! (Psalm 91:4)He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you.(Matthew 11:15) He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Allow yourself to embrace this state of solitude, because it will introduce you to a whole new mindset as a result. A Christ like mindset that welcomes His presence to takeover! (Colo.3:2)Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Some say that solitude only lasts for a season, but it must become a lifetime commitment!
It’s in those seasons of your life where you will be introduced to the gift of discernment, and the development of an ear to hear a clearer, and more profound voice…as well as an appreciation and deeper found respect towards those moments of solitude, that wasn’t once there!
Yep! It’s called, “Spiritual Self-Discovery.” A discovery that’s now viewed as a mirror to your inner reflection.(2 Cor.3:18)So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
That new found discovery will have you asking questions like; “okay God where do You need me positioned for You in this world?” “And, what do You need me to do there?” And, am I in the right position now?” In this moment is where your Soul and your Spirit waits in silence for Him to respond! (Psalm 62:5) My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.
And, for those of you that aren’t used to the act of solidarity will find it uncomfortable at first, but it is in that “not so good, place of feeling” where your flesh, (that part of you that represents all that is natural, earthly, and human) has to align with your spiritman.
This is Very Necessary!! Necessary for Him to take you to that place spiritually, that He will need you to be for Him! (Rom.8:5)For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose].
How would it make you feel if God said to you, “ Hello, son / daughter, why are you always so physically busy, can I get some of that spiritually? How would that make you feel, what would be your next thought, your next move of action?
I’ll tell you what it shouldn’t be, and that is silence!
It’s important at this time to not remain silent to the questions you want to pose to Him along this journey. It is imperative that you internalize His plans for your life, and for His people, Amen! Remembering that the path He has us all on, is not for us, but for others….(John 20:21)Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
And, when you ask, be ready to respond when He answers, Amen! Make sure you are asking with the right attitude and a spirit of humility and gentleness. Remember even though He is your Father, there is still a right and a wrong way to approach Him……He is not one of your little friends from off the street! (Psalm.100:4)Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.
Solitude will position you to be who He needs you to be, it’s only when you refuse to be still before Him that makes you miss out on the work He wants to do in and through you.(Matt.5:16) In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.
As you spend your time in solitude you should truly see it as a gift to your souls, because what it does is transform you. It’s a true inner transformation that weeds out those un-God like character traits. (Gal.5:22)But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Solitude is a choice. You can choose to make it a part of your life and get out of it what God designed it for, or not. In the Word of God you’ll see how Jesus often ( daily) would remove Himself from all and go to the mountains and be by Himself with the Father for hours……so, why not us?
It ‘s not until you gain a genuine love for the Father that you’ll be able to truly see what the state of solitude is all about…..there is a difference from when you bring yourself in it, over Him calling you into it.
Same reason, different experience….
Be Blessed….
Host Of Angels 