SS29: Celebrating Solitude

The timing for this month's chapter couldn't be better! While we are all dealing with different situations caused by Shelter-In-Place orders due to attempts to stop the coronavirus, what's consistent is that we have all had many of our routines disrupted.

For some that means being surrounded by family members much more than usual. For others it means being alone much more than normal. In either case, things might feel extra hard right now! 

In this month's conversation about Solitude, I talked about how solitude (as a spiritual practice/discipline) is more than being alone. It's about being quiet with God. It's also about being present and honest with God and ourselves. Whether we are alone or with others, more than ever, we still have to make the choice to stay still and be quiet and listen.

For many of us, this can be hard, especially when our fears or hurts or insecurities are running strong right below the surface of our hearts. Whether we're alone or around others, sitting in stillness allows things to surface that we often want to drown out and ignore. So we dive into the internet in the name of knowing what's going on in the world or learning something new. We jump onto social media in the name of connecting with people. We find something else to do in the name of productivity. Whatever it takes to run away from uncomfortable things we don't want to acknowledge inside of us.

I'm NOT saying these things are always wrong. Not at all. But I am saying we at least need to be honest about whether or not it's something we're doing on a regular basis.

If you have learned how to sit still and are comfortable practicing listening to God, that's wonderful! Praise God! But if this idea is new to you, I hope you might watch the video and check out the study guide linked below. I'd love to invite you to consider how God might use the extra times of solitude OR the hidden moments of solitude you have to search for to bless your heart in his presence these days.

Link to Celebrating Solitude video.
Link to Celebrating Solitude study guide.
Link to Celebrating Solitude slides.

More than anything, let's take time to practice being quiet with God and let's allow what God does in our hearts to lead us to each other as we share our hearts with each other. Now more than ever.

Blessings,
Melissa