When was the last time you spent a good chunk of quality time… with yourself?
I can hear some of you saying “Ha ha, wouldn’t that be nice! I’d love a few minutes to myself, but it just isn’t going to happen. At least not until my youngest child is 18!”
I hear you. The idea of significant time alone sounds like a distant fantasy.
We live in such a busy world that there just isn’t time for solitude. There’s too much to do. There’s work, and there’s a house to clean, budget to balance, and meals to make. There’s church and all of its many wonderful programs. And then there are the kids’ activities… so many kids’ activities! And let’s not forget that our marriages take time too!
And then there are those people who like nothing better than to make us feel like we’re selfish if we need time alone.
So we trudge on, warriors that we are.
Or so we think…
Until we crash.
The idea that we don’t have time for solitude is a lie. We make time for what is important to us. Satan knows how vital it is for God’s children to get alone with Him and be refilled and he has crafted some dangerous lies to convince us that it’s just not possible.
As Christians we know that we are to be selfless; putting others before ourselves. So, we fill our days doing all kinds of good things for other people with no room left for solitude.
We are servants, we are selfless.
And Satan has us right where he wants us when we believe his lie that says that everything else is more important than our solitude. Don’t let him put you there. Don’t let his lies render you ineffective.
The truth is that you cannot serve anything from an empty cup. You can only put others before yourself if you are actually taking care of yourself.
I know, it’s a difficult paradox.
But think about it:
- How patient are you when you’re tired?
- How much work do you get done when you’re feeling scattered and unfocused?
- How loving are you when you haven’t tapped into God’s love for you?
- How quick are you to forgive when you haven’t spent time in repentance before the Lord, basking in His forgiveness for you?
- How much joy do you share when you seldom take an opportunity to enjoy something beautiful?
Jesus pulled away from the crowd. I think if anyone knows what it’s like to have “a lot to do” it was Jesus. If he can take a break, so can you. You must.
If you’re fighting depression, I need to tell you that quality solitude is not just a nice idea; an indulgence for other people. It’s absolutely imperative that you find some time for quality solitude. I know it’s hard, I struggle with it myself.
The great news is this is something God wants for you. If you commit this need to Him, He will honor your faith and your obedience and make a way for you. Be open minded because His way might not be what you imagined. Let the Lord get creative with your schedule and your resources. He’ll probably come up with something far more interesting than you would have!
Homework;
1.Turn away from the lie that says you don’t have time to get away with God.
2. Ask God to make a way for you to have the solitude that you need.
3.Get away with God, even if it’s 15 minutes per day.
4. Memorize Mark 1:35 “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”
This is one of those areas where we can all help each other. What are some of the things you do to make sure you get the solitude you need? What do you do with your solitude once you get it? What are your biggest obstacles to solitude? Please share in the comments below.