Solitude is one of the chief ingredients for a spiritual
life. Jesus gave us this example, (Luke 4:42-44; 5:12-16; 6:12-16; 9:18-20; 21:34-38; 22:39-46).
Slipping away into times of physical solitude, to quiet our soul – our mind, choices
and emotions - and to retreat from the trappings and demands of the world
around us is vitally important. That is why some people choose to take vacation
days at a quiet retreat to pray and fast and withdraw from the noise and
clutter of society.
As he did with Jesus, Satan loves to follow Saints into
these solitary times with temptations and vain imaginations (Luke 4:1-13). There
are many in history, which chose the life of a recluse, only to be disappointed
that they still had their carnal desires for company. So, interior solitude of
our thoughts and emotions, times to quiet our soul and to listen to God’s
Spirit is important throughout the day.
Our thoughts can drive us crazy! We lament over the past,
fear the future and obsess over the current moment and all that is demanded of
us by family and employers. Therefore, we need times every day where we sneak
into our prayer closet and listen only to God (Matthew 6:6). We still the turmoil of our
thoughts, which race through our mind, and focus on God’s Spirit resident
within our spirit.
We listen with our inner, spiritual ear (Revelation 3:22) to
all that God has to say to us. When we return to our regular schedule after
this time of listening only to God, we react to life from a place of peace instead
of anxiety and stress. Our words are seasoned by holiness, our actions are
anointed and our thoughts are stilled and centered on the direction of God’s
Spirit. As we leave our quiet place, we can remain in that still place of
solitude within.
Envision yourself climbing to the highest room in a tower.
You seek God and find Him there. Then, you view all of life from this safe and
holy position, where nothing can touch you or move you without God’s
permission. We no longer react to life. We surrender our will to God’s
instruction and allow Him to tame our tongue (James 3:2) and direct our actions. We say
only what our Father anoints us to say, and do only what our Father directs by
His Spirit.
Prayer:
Father God, we desire that You camp all around us and be
our glory within (Zechariah
2:5; Psalm 125:2). We live a life in You, as we go about the business of
our day, listening to Your Spirit and hiding under the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 17:8). We want
the impulses of our soul to come from Your direction rather than driven by our
flesh. You are love, and as we dwell in You, we walk in Your love and respond
to the world around us by Your love within us.
Thought for the Day:
The soul in union with God lives a beautiful life of
perfect harmony.
