The need for solitude...

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace."
~ Colossians 3:15

Today is the first day of getting, "back to normal," after taking a week off from work and writing.  I tried over the last week to hear Jesus' words, “Come to me, you who are overburdened, and I will give you rest . . .for I am gentle and humble of heart.”

But because I rarely take time off, it wasn't until I was on the last two days of my vacation that I was able to finally find rest.  

It's funny how we live our lives in a way that we often overlook the solitude that we need.  The time that our soul requires us to stop and listen.  I am reminded that in the solitude, we begin to understand the truths about ourselves and our relationship we have with God.  

The Psalmist begins the 139th Psalm with these words, "O Lord, you search me and you know me, you know my resting and my rising."  Solitude is so important.  It is that moment in which we not only quiet conversations with others, putting our phones down, and turning off the world, but also with the inner conversations that lead us from making plans in our head, lists of things to do, and reflecting on things we "should have done."

Solitude is that gift to ourselves when we are finally able to breathe!

One thing that I have learned about finding time for solitude, is that if we don't make time for ourselves, we will lose ourselves, and become the victim of others who constantly seek our time and attention.

No where in the scriptures do we find that in the times that Jesus went off to pray, and to be alone, did he come back and apologize to the disciples for allowing time for himself to be in solitude.

Solitude means rest, rest of body and mind in which we become available for God, whose heart is greater than ours.  Something that we all need.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2019