As an introvert, I like the idea of spending time on my own. Seeing a free evening in the diary often brings a feeling of freedom. For my extroverted friends, an empty day in the diary often brings a feeling of emptiness. The idea of \u2018solitude\u2019 may seem wonderful or terrifying depending on how easy you find it to be alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solitude is a word we don\u2019t often use. Perhaps when you read or hear it, you may be reminded of solitaire \u2013 a game to be played and enjoyed on your own. On the other hand, it may make you think of solitary confinement \u2013 being locked up in a cell, unable to enjoy others\u2019 company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although we may respond in different ways to time alone, solitude is a discipline in which each of us can find fulfilment and freedom. This is because solitude is actually about us seeking relationship and intimacy with Jesus. As Richard Foster says, \u2018if we possess inward solitude we do not fear being alone, for we know that we are not alone.\u2019 This inward solitude is a state of the mind and heart, so we can practice this discipline anywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also outward ways in which we can live out solitude. Jesus regularly withdrew from the presence of others to spend precious time alone with the Father. We see many examples of this in the Bible, such as the forty days Jesus spent in the desert at the beginning of his ministry (Matthew 4:1-11) and his time in the garden of Gethsamane on the eve of his crucifixion (Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus often drew large crowds, yet in many key moments during his life and ministry he chose to be alone. He was practicing \u2018social distancing\u2019 two thousand years ago! Perhaps the restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic may be an ideal opportunity for us to grow in this discipline of solitude, as we\u2019re already having to isolate ourselves from most others. You may have few spaces to retreat to because of the lockdown, but consider finding an area in your home where you can spend time alone with God, even if just for a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One big challenge for me in exploring this discipline is that solitude is closely linked with silence. When I have time on my own, I will often play music, even if just in the background while I\u2019m doing something else. I will often listen to a podcast while doing the washing up or hoovering. I\u2019ve recently started listening to an audiobook as I go for a walk on my own. I enjoy watching films and television series. None of these things are necessarily bad, but it all adds up to a lot of noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m going to try to take more opportunities over these next few days to choose to actively listen to the whisper of God. As well as switching off background noise, this will also mean choosing to have intentional moments spent in silence away from other activities. It\u2019s important to create space simply to be with God and to listen to him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s make solitude a priority because, as Foster says, \u2018in solitude we are freed from<\/em> our bondage to people and our inner compulsions, and we are freed to<\/em> love God and know compassion for others.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below are a few helpful practices Richard Foster suggests for us to grow in this discipline. Why don\u2019t you pick one of these to try this week?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Little solitudes\u2019 Quiet place Limit words Withdraw to set goals Retreat Richard Foster recommends these daily scripture readings as we explore solitude this week:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monday:<\/strong> The freedom to control the tongue \u2013 James 3:1\u201312, Luke 23:6\u20139<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tuesday:<\/strong> Prayer and solitude \u2013 Matthew 6:5\u20136, Luke 5:16<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wednesday:<\/strong> The insights of solitude \u2013 Psalm 8<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thursday:<\/strong> The dark night of the soul \u2013 Jeremiah 20:7\u201318<\/p>\n\n\n\n Friday:<\/strong> The solitude of the garden \u2013 Matthew 26:36\u201346<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saturday:<\/strong> The solitude of the cross \u2013 Matthew 27:32\u201350<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sunday:<\/strong> The compassion that comes from solitude \u2013 Matthew 9:35\u201338, 23:37<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Read about the discipline of Solitude, from our series unpacking the Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":78,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79,"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77\/revisions\/79"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirteencreative.co.uk\/onelife25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/strong>There are small everyday moments which we might miss as opportunities to seek inner silence, such as having a cup of coffee in the morning, the work commute, and time outside in nature. Think what these moments might be for you and choose to make them your \u2018little solitudes.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>It can be very helpful to have specific places to which you go to seek silence and solitude. Find a space in your home where you can withdraw to be alone and silent. It could be a room or even a special chair. Also find quiet places to go to outside of your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>\u2018Let\u2019s discipline ourselves so that our words are few and full,\u2019 writes Foster. Practise speaking when you truly have something to say. You could try to go a whole day without speaking! Realise where you might be trusting in your own words for forming your reputation and choose to instead trust God with this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Take a few hours in each season to reevaluate your goals in silence. Listen in the silence and allow God to guide you as you consider the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Take a retreat during which you simply spend time in silence and solitude. This isn\u2019t time which would be better spent with others \u2013 it actually enables us to make better our time spent with others. As Foster says, \u2018The fruit of solitude is increased sensitivity and compassion for others.\u2019 It\u2019s time invested, not time wasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n