SOLITUDE

THE IMPORTANCE OF SILENCE AND SOLITUDE

/ joseph elon lillie / Leave a comment

In the hubbub of ministry (and it is a hubbub at times) it is so important to catch prolonged moments of silence and solitude.

The prophet Isaiah wrote these words at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

I need the waiting space to produce the flying, running and constant walking pace. Without the waiting space there is no flight, no run and no constant walk, there is only weariness.

Waiting on the Lord requires a coming aside. It requires a stillness of heart soul mind and body. It requires solitude.

Here are some thoughts about solitude that have spoken to me

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOLITUDE

/ joseph elon lillie / Leave a comment

I have learned that if I am going to have a healthy prayer life. I must learn a balance between the work of ministry and the place of solitude in ministry.

Not just that, prioritizing time to be alone is not just healthy but essential.

This work of ministry can steal a person from themself if he is not careful. An intentional solitude is healing balm from the rigors of the calling.

So I practice small solitudes throughout my days. In the midst of meetings and e-mails, phone calls and pastoral zooms I build small margins of time to withdraw and listen to Scripture and pray. I have my longer sessions too, but I think it is the more frequent “little solitudes” throughout the day that keep me on track.

DO YOU PRACTICE SOLITUDE? HOW DO YOU DO IT?