solitude | Sweet Rains
“He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire and rageth against all sound wisdom.” —Proverbs 18:1 ASV
Have you ever wished you could just get away from it all? I was able to get away two years ago and stay on Carolina Beach all by myself for a week. It was great, but it did get lonely, especially when I had no one with whom to share the sunrises. There is nothing wrong with wanting to seek solitude for a time. Even Jesus did. Sometimes we need to get away to pray, reflect and rest, which is what I did during my time away, but there is a difference between seeking solitude and isolating ourselves. Seeking solitude is generally temporary and for the purpose of being refreshed, whereas isolation is generally an effort to shut others out to avoid something difficult or painful and to engage in something that makes us feel good and takes our minds off of things— escaping from real life. Proverbs 18:1 says, “He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire and rageth against all sound wisdom.” Sometimes it starts off small and innocently, spending time engaged in an activity by ourselves for a couple of hours until it becomes most of the day or night. We might even reason that we are not alone, we have online friends. Although online friends are real people, if we neglect the people around us, we may eventually find ourselves disconnected and truly alone.
“It is not good to be alone, even in Paradise.” —Yiddish proverb
You have probably heard the saying, “There is safety in numbers.” A Nigerian proverb says, “As long as you stay in a group, the lion will stay hungry.” 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Lions generally hunt by trying to remain covert, either by stalking or ambushing. They try to choose the closest and easiest prey, especially one that is separated from the rest of the herd. When hunting large prey, the female lionesses generally work together to surround the herd and try to isolate a single animal. The same is true of Satan. He knows we are more vulnerable when isolated. That’s part of the reason we are encouraged not to forsake getting together with others. (Hebrews 10:25) We need each other.
We need each other. Someone needs you.
Photo credit: A composite of photos by jivemm and cpsUK.
22 Comments	| tags: attitude, fellowship, life, motivational, proverb, relationships, solitude, wisdom, Wisdom Wednesday	| posted in motivational, Wisdom	
Yesterday as I was resting in a hammock and trying to practice the spiritual discipline of solitude and silence and seeking God, a brief vision came to mind of wood being turned on a lathe. As I saw small shavings and sawdust being cast off into the air, the feeling that God is turning and shaping me into something beautiful came to mind. And though the instruments are sharp, I can rest in the knowledge that the Master Craftsman will never suddenly gouge too deeply or begin the process too soon. My Heavenly Father knows what I am made of; some parts are so very sensitive and respond to his shaping instantly while others, perhaps more dense, need more time.
I want to seek Him; I need to seek Him as, the Psalmist declared, the thirsty deer seeking cool, clear water. I need it even when my feelings rebel at the idea because I’m too tired or busy. My feelings may change moment-by-moment, but the Lord never changes. Despite what I might feel or view about His work, He has given me a solemn promise that I will come out – at the end – like His Matchless Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Because He never lets me down, I am able to patiently endure his shaping and crafting. At times the process seems so…so inexorable but, I know it is worth it all because His Word has declared it so. Thank you, Father, for Your presence and continued work in my life.
6 Comments	| tags: God, Inspirational, Jesus, solitude	| posted in Inspirational	