Back in 2007, my mom, who lived in Florida, had a stroke. Knowing that her time with us would be short, I left the ministry of Bible Study Fellowship to stay in Florida and take care of her. After her death, I returned home and wondered what in the world I would do without the ministry of BSF in my life.
At that time, the Lord encouraged me with Psalm 27:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." So for the better part of a year I concentrated on praying and delighting myself in the Lord. As I did, the Lord began to place things on my heart. I prayed for our church as we looked for a new pastor. I prayed for direction for the ministry the Lord might have for me in this new stage of life.
I'm an introvert, so spending time alone has never bothered me, in fact it refreshes and renews me after time spent with people. So that year, spent so often with the Lord, just the two of us, was one of the highlights of my spiritual life.
Since then a few things have changed. The Lord opened the door to a bunch of different ministries - all of them good. But busyness is crowding out solitude and I am feeling the effects. Then, about a year and a half ago, our daughter Becky, son in law Nathan, and granddaughter Emma moved in with us, and now Jim is working from home full time. I LOVE IT - but it doesn't make for a lot of solitude. I'm missing it. Getting it needs to be a priority for me if my relationship with Jesus is going to be close and personal.
Years ago I was teaching on the early life of David as a shepherd, as well as his years of fleeing from Saul - both times that undoubtedly provided lots of solitude. David's psalms reflect His intimacy with the Lord forged through those times. And in looking through old documents, I found the one I've included below, which I gave out at that time to encourage women to challenge themselves to make room for solitude in their lives. Thankfully, it doesn't just say "do it", it gives some really practical ideas for doing so even when our lives our busy and we don't have a lot of alone time.
Since I am the spiritually driest I've been in a long time, I'm going to challenge myself to make more time for solitude. I'm giving you permission to hold me to it. I need the accountability!
SOLITUDE CHALLENGE
Whatever your stage of life, at least one of the suggestions below, from Richard Foster’s book, “Celebration of Discipline” would be helpful in encouraging a habit of solitude to enhance your intimacy with the Lord. Challenge yourself to implement one in the coming weeks.
Richard Foster:
· Inner solitude and inner silence are inseparable.
· Inward solitude has outward manifestations. There is the freedom to be alone, not in order to be away from people, but in order to hear God better.
· The seeking out of solitary places was a regular practice of Jesus.
· Without silence there is no solitude. Though silence sometimes involves the absence of speech, it always involves the act of listening.
STEPS INTO SOLITUDE
· Take advantage of the little solitudes that fill your day. Often the little moments are lost to us.
o Early morning moments before anyone else is up
o Sitting in traffic
o Waiting for children, doctor, dentist appointments
o Moments of rest and refreshment when we enjoy nature
o Silent prayer before meals.
o A walk alone outdoors
o Step outside just before bed
o Taking a bath or shower
· Find or develop a quiet place designed for silence and solitude.
o Carve out a little corner of your bedroom or a closet.
o Select a special chair you sit in when you need some moments of solitude.
o Find a spot outdoors in your yard or a local park
o Find an open church
· Several times a year withdraw for 3-4 hours to reorient your life goals. God delights in showing us exciting new alternatives for the future.
o Think and seek God regarding your goals.
o Think about where you might like to be one year from now.
· During your moments of solitude, try the following: Meditate on a verse, such as Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Break the verse down, focusing on a different phrase each day while listening to God speak through it. For example:
o “BE STILL and know that I am God.” Ask God what He means by that. Ask Him to reveal areas of your life where busyness is keeping you from hearing His voice. Be willing to make changes.
o “Be still AND KNOW that I am God.” Ask God what it is He wants you to know about Him and your relationship to Him.
- “Be still and know that I am God.” Ask God to reveal areas in your life where you are on the throne of your life and not Him. Be willing to give those areas over.
- “Be still and know that I am GOD.” Meditate on what it means to be in a relationship with the God of the universe. Spend time in worship.
· If you’re able, keep a journal of what God is teaching you.
No comments:
Post a Comment