It seems that God has theme going on for me this weekend. At yesterday's prayer group, I discussed what solitude means to me in the context of making intentional time to be with God on a routine basis. Our study book, "Out of Solitude" referenced verses in the New Testament,
Mark 1:32-39. Last evening Elizabeth's homily was based on these same verses including verses 29-31. And like our study group, Elizabeth focused not on the miracles of healing, but on the short quiet sentence in between the action which tells us that Jesus left the group and went away, alone, to pray. Again the theme was taking time to be with God in solitude. She expanded on this theme to include being balanced in all of our lives by not only taking time to be with God, but also taking time to replenish our minds and bodies emotionally and physically. Last night I picked up another of Nouwen's books, "The Way of the Heart" that speaks about the spirituality of the desert Fathers and Mothers. Again...solitude was front and center, this time explaining the need for those in the ministry to withdraw from the world periodically to get in touch with God again.
I'm astute enough to realize that God is sending me a message here; I don't have a clue what it means. I'll continue to read and study, tho, and seek His meaning for me in this theme.
It seems that God has theme going on for me this weekend. At yesterday's prayer group, I discussed what solitude means to me in the context of making intentional time to be with God on a routine basis. Our study book, "Out of Solitude" referenced verses in the New Testament, Mark 1:32-39. Last evening Elizabeth's homily was based on these same verses including verses 29-31. And like our study group, Elizabeth focused not on the miracles of healing, but on the short quiet sentence in between the action which tells us that Jesus left the group and went away, alone, to pray. Again the theme was taking time to be with God in solitude. She expanded on this theme to include being balanced in all of our lives by not only taking time to be with God, but also taking time to replenish our minds and bodies emotionally and physically. Last night I picked up another of Nouwen's books, "The Way of the Heart" that speaks about the spirituality of the desert Fathers and Mothers. Again...solitude was front and center, this time explaining the need for those in the ministry to withdraw from the world periodically to get in touch with God again.
The prayer group at church is reading this powerful little book by Henri J.M. Nouwen. It contains three meditations on important parts of a life of faith. This morning we talked about the first meditation on solitude. Quoting New Testament scripture, Nouwen reminds me that even in the most action-packed times in Jesus' life, Jesus took time to go out alone to meditate and pray. If this time of being alone was so important to Jesus, how much more important is it to me? As the discussion ebbed and flowed, my thoughts began to crystallize about just what solitude is for me. I live alone, my life is not packed full of the multiple commitments that many people have, yet this alone time is not solitude. For me, solitude is intentional; it is structured time that I spend with God. It is time in prayer, in meditation, in appreciation and praise for His creation. My times of solitude have a beginning and an end. The time in between is filled with intention whether that be prayer for others, asking for forgiveness for my sins and shortcomings, praising my Creator, or simply sitting in silence, listening for God to reveal Himself. In this in-between time, the world slips away, and Iam focused instead on spirit.
