February 21, 2023 – “Solitude as a Spiritual Discipline”

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled,and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” Mark 6:41-46

Solitude would best be defined as refraining from interacting with other people in order to be alone – especially to be alone with G-d. One must assume that Solitude is completed by silence – but I do not believe that this always has to be the case. The obvious way to find solitude would be to find a remote place where one can commune with nature and with G-d. I  was listening to a story on the radio the other day, and they were talking to people about the places they go to find solitude. Aaron Rodgers has just gone “silent” and “dark” to help him make his next decision for his football career. Some go hiking in remote areas or go for walks in the woods. Others go to more extreme conditions like trying to row a boat across the Atlantic Ocean, or walk on skis to the North Pole and back.

How do you find solitude in your life?

I can find solitude by simply going to a local coffee shop and taking time to write. This to me is solitude – I do not have to answer my phone if I choose not to – I do not have to talk to anyone if I choose not to. For me, solitude does not mean remoteness or complete silence – for me solitude means time alone no matter where that might be. The point of solitude is how you use that time.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, we all need to find some solitude in our lives – and to use that time for quiet and reflection. Give me time today Lord to do what I need to for time alone with your word. Amen.

Pastor Dave