Solitude - 21 November
It was on the last day in Chicago that we went to the church of Steve Nicholson, who a number of St. Matthew's folk heard at New Wine this summer. As he preached to his people he spoke of our need to build the practice of solitude.
He made some very simple points but ones that I noted to apply in my life.
Jesus himself practised solitude, times when he could be alone with God. In our busy lives we have to take advantage of the opportunities as they come to have little daily solitudes. Maybe when driving to work; when everyone else has left the office at lunchtime; when the kids have all left for school - seize the moment to be alone with God. Talk to him, listen to him, read his Word.
In these moments we need to learn to set aside our concerns and settle our minds, maybe using a to do list to write our concerns down and then to forget them while we are quiet with God.
If Jesus needed these times with his Father how much more do we! It was easy on sabbatical to find these times but it is even more important for me now!
Where is your place of solitude?
Martin | 