Welcome to episode 35 of This Is The Way, a short and simple podcast focusing on a spiritual discipline, a fruit of the spirit and scripture.
We’re over halfway through the month of kindness and solitude, and tbh I’m learning a lot. It’s been rough, but good. Like working out at the gym, I’m sweating and sore and exhausted these solitude and kindness muscles are weak and I’m sore in places I didn’t know existed before. Dallas Willard warns that “We can only survive solitude…if we cling to Christ there” (Spirit of the Disciplines). That’s how I feel right now, I am surviving, clinging to Christ.
Here’s some small tips I’ve learned along the way:
- Create space, this is both an environment and time. Get rid of distractions, make it easy to do the right thing. If you find yourself constantly thinking about something else or running through your mental checklist. Do not practice solitude in a cluttered environment, it makes it more difficult.
- Start small and give yourself grace. You might think okay, I’m going to spend 15 minutes in solitude- and that’s great! But if you’re just starting out, start with 5 minutes, prepare your heart, mind and your environment.
- Do it first thing in the morning, wake up early. Don’t use your phone before you practice solitude. The best moments I have had in solitude is when I was walking outside just before the sun rose and the city was still sleeping.
- Start with a breathing prayer, repeat over and over the same phrase and pay attention to your breathing. Oftentimes I find myself starting with “God help me, give me grace”
If you have a thought, prayer or prayer request please leave a voicemail here.
I'm looking for people to give little (5min) devotional this month on solitude of kindness. If you're interested or know someone who might be, let me know: zacheway@gmail.com
