Ready:
“After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone.” – Матей 14:23
Set:
We spend our days surrounded by voices and noise: when we’re in practice or a game, when we’re with family and friends, when we’re listening to music or watching something, when we’re in public spaces… None of these things are bad in themselves, but all the demands and noise can be spiritually distracting. Are we listening to God as He speaks? Are we experiencing His deeper restorative work? Are we reflecting on what He’s teaching us?
There’s a spiritual practice that can counteract the potentially negative impact of the noise of sports and life: the practice of solitude. This is the habit of regularly removing ourselves from people and distractions in order to spend time alone with God. In the Bible, we see Jesus engaging in this practice of solitude. Matthew 14:23 is one example. Another is Mark 1:35, where after a rigorous day of meeting with people and healing them, it says of Jesus, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.” Jesus knew how much He needed uninterrupted, distraction-free time with His Father—especially as life and ministry got intense.
We need this time alone with God as well: to pray, to read God’s Word and to reflect. The practice of solitude helps us cultivate deeper communion with God. When we step away from other people and demands, even for a brief time, we have a better chance of hearing God’s voice as He speaks to us through His Word and His Spirit. We can give our undivided attention to the Lord, reminding ourselves of our complete dependence upon Him.
Solitude also reminds us that we compete and live for an audience of One. There’s always pressure to believe we need to perform for the crowd or meet the expectations of others. Consistent time alone with God enables us to step away from these voices and demands so that we can refocus on the One whose perspective matters most. God reminds us that we are secure in His love and we find true joy as we compete and live for His glory.
Jesus prioritized time alone with His Father. Regular time alone with God is crucial for us as well. The practice of solitude brings spiritual progress.
Go:
What barriers (within yourself or external factors) do you need to overcome in order to regularly spend time alone with God?
What is one next step you can take to grow in the practice of solitude?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord, I’m humbled and amazed that You desire time alone with me. Thank You that You draw near to me so I can draw near to You. Please help me regularly practice solitude so I can deepen my relationship with You. Amen.”