February 6, 2024 — Solitude as a Spiritual Discipline

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. 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.

Throughout the season of Lent, we may have purposeful moments of silence in worship – either on Wednesday nights or Sunday mornings. No matter the time or place, we all need to find some solitude in our lives – and to use that time for quiet and reflection. It is important to do what we can to have time alone with G-d.

Pastor Dave