Finding Freedom in the Practice of Solitude

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explore the profound practice of solitude, a discipline of abstinence that allows us to be at home with the Father. Solitude is about purposefully abstaining from interaction with others to dwell in isolation, not merely for rest but to experience spiritual freedom. This practice is essential because our lives are often cluttered, and solitude offers a way to remove distractions and create space for spiritual growth. By stepping away from the patterns of interaction that bind us, we can find freedom and strength in being alone with God.

Solitude is not about doing more but about doing less, allowing us to break free from the expectations and pressures of others. It is a practice that Jesus himself engaged in, as seen when he spent 40 days in the wilderness, not as a place of weakness but as a source of strength. Solitude helps us to be disciplined, enabling us to do what needs to be done at the right moment. It is a self-validating practice, offering freedom from the oppressive thoughts and evaluations of others.

To practice solitude, one must intentionally set aside time and space, free from external stimuli and distractions. It is not about engaging in activities but about being present with God and noticing what arises in our minds and bodies. Solitude can be challenging, especially for extroverts, but it is not about being heroic. It is about taking small moments to be alone with God, recognizing His presence, and reflecting on our inner experiences.

In solitude, we bring our true selves, with all our wandering thoughts and fantasies. These are not interruptions but opportunities to engage with God about what truly occupies our minds. Solitude invites us to experience freedom from the pressure of others and to be at home with God, finding peace and strength in His presence.

Key Takeaways:

1. Solitude as a Discipline of Abstinence: Solitude is about intentionally abstaining from interaction with others to create space for spiritual growth. It allows us to break free from the clutter of life and find freedom in being alone with God. [03:19]

2. Freedom Through Solitude: The practice of solitude offers freedom from the patterns of interaction and expectations that bind us. It helps us to be disciplined, enabling us to do what needs to be done at the right moment. [05:00]

3. Jesus' Example of Solitude: Jesus' time in the wilderness demonstrates that solitude is a source of strength, not weakness. It is a practice that empowers us to withstand challenges and grow spiritually. [06:47]

4. Practical Steps for Solitude: To practice solitude, set aside intentional time and space, free from distractions. It is not about doing more but about being present with God and noticing what arises within us. [07:52]

5. Engaging with Our True Selves: In solitude, we bring our true selves, with all our wandering thoughts. These are opportunities to engage with God about what truly occupies our minds, leading to deeper spiritual insights. [10:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:35] - The Secret of the Easy Yoke
- [01:15] - Categories of Spiritual Practices
- [02:09] - Sins of Commission and Omission
- [02:54] - Disciplines of Abstinence
- [03:19] - Understanding Solitude
- [04:23] - The Purpose of Solitude
- [05:00] - Freedom in Solitude
- [06:22] - Jesus' Solitude in the Wilderness
- [07:02] - Practicing Solitude
- [08:07] - Discovering Inner Thoughts
- [09:03] - Solitude for Extroverts
- [10:21] - Engaging with Wandering Thoughts
- [11:03] - Miniature Solitude Moments
- [11:22] - Conclusion: Welcome Home

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Practice of Solitude

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 4:1-2 - "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."
2. Mark 1:35 - "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
3. Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the primary purpose of solitude as described in the sermon? [03:19]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between solitude and simply being alone for rest? [04:08]
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the patterns of interaction that solitude helps us break free from? [05:00]
4. How did Jesus' time in the wilderness serve as an example of the strength found in solitude? [06:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the practice of solitude offer freedom from the expectations and pressures of others, according to the sermon? [05:00]
2. How does the sermon suggest that solitude can lead to spiritual growth and strength, using Jesus' example in the wilderness? [06:47]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between solitude and self-awareness, particularly in recognizing one's true thoughts and feelings? [10:49]
4. How might the practice of solitude differ for extroverts compared to introverts, based on the sermon’s insights? [09:15]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current schedule. How can you intentionally set aside time for solitude this week? What might be some challenges you face in doing so? [07:28]
2. Think about a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by others' expectations. How could practicing solitude help you find freedom in such situations? [05:00]
3. When you are alone, what are some recurring thoughts or fantasies that come to mind? How can you use these moments to engage with God about what truly occupies your mind? [10:49]
4. For those who find solitude challenging, especially extroverts, what small steps can you take to begin incorporating solitude into your routine? [09:15]
5. Consider a time when you felt spiritually weak. How might practicing solitude have provided strength in that situation, similar to Jesus' experience in the wilderness? [06:47]
6. How can you create a physical space in your home or community that encourages moments of solitude and reflection? [07:28]
7. Identify one area of your life where you feel the pressure to conform to others' expectations. How can solitude help you find your true self in God's presence? [05:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Solitude as a Pathway to Spiritual Freedom
Solitude is a spiritual discipline that involves intentionally withdrawing from social interactions to create space for spiritual growth. It is not merely about resting but about finding freedom in being alone with God. In a world filled with distractions and noise, solitude offers a sanctuary where one can break free from the clutter of life and focus on the divine presence. By stepping away from the expectations and pressures of others, solitude allows individuals to experience a deeper connection with God and discover their true selves. [03:19]

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."

Reflection: What distractions in your life can you intentionally set aside today to create space for solitude with God?


Day 2: Finding Freedom Through Solitude
The practice of solitude offers liberation from the patterns of interaction and expectations that often bind us. It is a discipline that fosters self-awareness and discipline, enabling individuals to act with intention and purpose. Solitude is not about doing more but about doing less, allowing one to focus on what truly matters. By embracing solitude, individuals can find the strength to do what needs to be done at the right moment, free from the oppressive thoughts and evaluations of others. [05:00]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: In what ways can you practice being still today, allowing yourself to break free from the expectations of others?


Day 3: Jesus' Example of Solitude
Jesus' time in the wilderness serves as a powerful example of how solitude can be a source of strength rather than weakness. By withdrawing from the world, Jesus demonstrated that solitude is a practice that empowers individuals to withstand challenges and grow spiritually. It is a time to be alone with God, to reflect, and to gain the strength needed to face life's trials. Solitude is not about isolation but about finding empowerment in the presence of God. [06:47]

Mark 1:35 (ESV): "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."

Reflection: How can you incorporate moments of solitude into your daily routine to draw strength from God's presence?


Day 4: Practical Steps for Practicing Solitude
To practice solitude, one must intentionally set aside time and space, free from distractions and external stimuli. It is not about engaging in activities but about being present with God and noticing what arises within oneself. Solitude invites individuals to be mindful of their thoughts and feelings, offering an opportunity to engage with God about what truly occupies their minds. It is a practice that requires intentionality and discipline but offers profound spiritual insights and growth. [07:52]

Lamentations 3:28-29 (ESV): "Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; let him put his mouth in the dust—there may yet be hope."

Reflection: What specific time and place can you set aside today to practice solitude and be present with God?


Day 5: Engaging with Our True Selves in Solitude
In solitude, individuals are invited to bring their true selves, with all their wandering thoughts and fantasies, before God. These are not interruptions but opportunities to engage with God about what truly occupies their minds. Solitude allows individuals to experience freedom from the pressure of others and to be at home with God, finding peace and strength in His presence. It is a time to reflect on one's inner experiences and to gain deeper spiritual insights. [10:49]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: What thoughts or feelings have been occupying your mind lately, and how can you bring them before God in solitude today?

Quotes


In solitude, we purposefully abstain from interaction with other human beings, denying ourselves companionship and all that comes from our conscious interaction with others. We close ourselves away, we go to the ocean, to the desert, the wilderness, or to the anonymity of the urban crowd. This is not just rest or refreshment from nature, though that too can contribute to our spiritual well-being. [00:03:41]

Solitude is choosing to be alone and to dwell on our experience of isolation from other people. Solitude frees us. Now, this is the why. Why should I do Solitude? Why would I want to go and be alone like that? For many of us, aloneness is really painful. The spiritual disciplines are always about Freedom. That's true of disciplines in general. [00:04:12]

The reason that we practice spiritual disciplines is always so that I will have the freedom and the power to do what needs to be done in the right way at the right moment. The disciplined person is not the person that practices a lot of disciplines. The disciplined person is the one who's able to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. [00:04:46]

In solitude, I go away from other people, and the reason this is so powerful is there's just patterns of interaction. What do you expect to be? What are you looking for from me? How do I try to please you or deal with you, or how do I get from you what I want to get from you? And all of those things lock us into certain patterns of thought and behavior. [00:05:03]

When I'm alone in the Cabana all by myself and not even Tim this year, then I'm free. That's what Solitude does. Dallas writes this: it takes 20 times more amphetamines to kill individual mice than it takes to kill them in groups. Experimenters also find a mouse given no amphetamines at all will be dead within 10 minutes of being placed in the middle of a group on the drug. [00:05:38]

In our world, we talk a lot about being individuals, but our Conformity to social pressure is hardly less remarkable than that of mice. And so if we look in the Bible, for example, at the life of Jesus, at the beginning of his ministry, the first thing that he does after being baptized is to go into the desert and the Wilderness for 40 days of being alone with his father. [00:06:14]

When he had spent 40 days of solitude and prayer and fasting, he was not in a position of great weakness; he was at a point of Greater strength. And that's what we so don't often understand. So how do I go about practicing solitude? Well, when I first started to learn about this, I thought, all right, I want to take the next free day that I have and go spend it in solitude. [00:06:57]

Here's a real important aspect of solitude: it's a practice of abstinence. That means the main thing about Solitude isn't what you do; it's what you don't do. You don't engage in conversation, you don't engage in stimulation, you're not around other people, and then I begin to discover what's going on in my mind. [00:07:49]

I began to experience freedom. I realized, you know, I can so easily get captivated by how do people think I'm doing my job and how are people evaluating my life, and when I go to be alone, I can feel in my body this sense of freedom from that. Now it doesn't matter. Practices like Solitude are self-validating. [00:08:29]

Sometimes people who are extroverts will say, you know, I want to bring along books and Ted Talks to listen to and songs that I can experience. No, no, no, that's not Solitude. In solitude, I get away from all of the external scaffolding of life to be alone with God. And Nancy will say sometimes I wouldn't mind Solitude if I could just bring some other people along with it. [00:09:42]

When I go into Solitude, I'm bringing me with my own mind, and my mind doesn't become magically different in those moments, so it wanders all over the place. And I found myself with all kinds of fantasies about being successful or fantasies about being angry and getting even with somebody. Instead of thinking those are interruptions in my time with God, I had to learn actually if my mind keeps wandering to something, probably that's precisely the thing I need to talk with God about. [00:10:19]

That's what the practice of solitude is, why we engage in it to experience freedom from the pressure of other people, and how you can just have some moments today of miniature Solitude times when you are alone and you invite God to be with you, and then you just notice what's going on in my mind, what's going on in my body. God, when I'm alone, could I be at home with you today? [00:11:01]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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