Monday, 16 Oct. Solitude, often overlooked in our busy lives, is a powerful discipline that allows us to connect with Jesus and liberate ourselves from the noise and demands of modern life. It enables us to discover our true selves, find hope, and bask in God's presence. Embracing solitude and its partner, silence, can be a transformative experience that helps us prioritize our relationship with God and love for others.
Below are a few helpful practices Richard Foster suggests for us to grow in this discipline. Why don’t you pick one of these to try this week?
‘Little solitudes’
There are small everyday moments which we might miss as opportunities to seek inner silence, such as having a cup of coffee in the morning, the work commute, and time outside in nature. Think what these moments might be for you and choose to make them your ‘little solitudes.’
Quiet place
It can be very helpful to have specific places to which you go to seek silence and solitude. Find a space in your home where you can withdraw to be alone and silent. It could be a room or even a special chair. Also find quiet places to go to outside of your home.
Limit words
‘Let’s discipline ourselves so that our words are few and full,’ writes Foster. Practice speaking when you truly have something to say. You could try to go a whole day without speaking! Realize where you might be trusting in your own words for forming your reputation and choose to instead trust God with this.
Withdraw to set goals
Take a few hours in each season to reevaluate your goals in silence. Listen in the silence and allow God to guide you as you consider the future.
Retreat
Take a retreat during which you simply spend time in silence and solitude. This isn’t time which would be better spent with others – it actually enables us to make better our time spent with others. As Foster says, ‘The fruit of solitude is increased sensitivity and compassion for others.’ It’s time invested, not time wasted.
Richard Foster recommends these daily scripture readings as we explore solitude this week:
Monday: The freedom to control the tongue – James 3:1–12, Luke 23:6–9
Tuesday: Prayer and solitude – Matthew 6:5–6, Luke 5:16
Wednesday: The insights of solitude – Psalm 8
Thursday: The dark night of the soul – Jeremiah 20:7–18
Friday: The solitude of the garden – Matthew 26:36–46
Saturday: The solitude of the cross – Matthew 27:32–50
Sunday: The compassion that comes from solitude – Matthew 9:35–38, 23:37
Email me your questions, comments, and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you! If y'all wanna talk more 'bout this, I'm all ears. Just give me a holler. You can also help by sending me your favorite trivia or dad joke(s) at spencerjd@thedailygrind.website Or respond below with comments, trivia or jokes.
