Day of Solitude

Almost 7 years ago, I was introduced to the idea of taking a day of solitude. While I was interning overseas, I got an email one day from the CEO asking for prayer requests from every employee and intern around the globe because he was about to do his yearly 24 hour day of solitude/prayer. That struck me because here was a guy who had a family and was leading a multinational NGO with endless demands, yet, he was carving out 24 hours to pray and be alone with God. Really, I will never be able to claim “I don’t have time.” It will always come down to, will I make it a priority?

I had never considered trying a day of solitude, but I figured, why not? The organization even allotted a day of solitude as part of the work package! How amazing is that? They knew that in order for us to participate in God’s work, we had to be immersed in the Bible (we had daily quiet time in the morning) and emphasize prayer (we had corporate prayer every afternoon). Then in addition to these, we were allotted a yearly day of solitude. Therefore, I definitely had the opportunity to give it a try.

But what does someone do for 24 hours? I did some research and asked around. I formed a plan and decided to begin with an obtainable goal for my first time – a sunrise to sunset plan. I left early in the morning to go to one of my favorite locations in the whole world. I listened to praise music, prayed without any rushing or distractions. I had an extended quiet time and lingered over the Scriptures as long as I wanted. I looked back at through my quiet time journal to see any common themes God might be sharing with me. I considered what God was currently teaching me and prayed about what God might want me to do next. By the time dusk arrived, I didn’t want to leave. It was a sweet time.

Fast forward to present day. A day of solitude is like any other discipline for me now. I prioritize it and plan it in advance. I do not change it unless a dire emergency occurs. Also, I try to do this 2-4 times a year based on my current life circumstances, but once a year is a good goal for everyone. If that family man and CEO of a global NGO can make time for one day, anyone can. In math terms, 1 out of 365 days is 0.03% of our time per year.

I once hear the following illustration for a day of solitude and I can now definitely agree with it after experiencing it for myself. Imagine you have a glass of murky, dirty water: can you see through that kind of water? Nope. But if you leave the glass alone, the sediment with settle to the bottom. Then you’re able to see through the glass! Like this:

I believe this is similar to what Peter, James, and John experienced on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured (Matthew 17:1-8). Verse 2 says: “And he was transfigured before them, and this face shown like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” On the mountain and away from the crowds, they witnessed a vision of Jesus they had not seen. What was hidden among the busyness of daily life and ministry, was clear when given the opportunity. Also, God reoriented their focus to Jesus as He spoke from the cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am will pleased; listen to him” (verse 5).

Right after this encounter, they came down from the mountain and found a crowd. There was a man who needed help for his son (Matthew 17:14-21). Therefore, though we gain from the mountain top with Jesus, we are not meant to stay there. It might be a sweet time, but there’s kingdom work to be done in the valleys.

Peter, James, and John learned a valuable lesson. God’s kingdom work is impossible without time spent alone with God. Also, time alone with God is not all about me. Yes, I benefit and I get to enjoy time with my God, but it also equips me to get back into the dysfunction of this world and be part of God’s redemption for it.

I can always tell when I have slacked in setting my day of solitude. Like a murky glass of water, my mind becomes foggy and disoriented. I am more easily frustrated and irritable. My outlook on present situations is more pessimistic. My discipleship of other women begins to suffer and ultimately my view of Jesus becomes skewed. But a day of solitude allows the distractions to settle and my heart, mind, and actions to be re-focused on Jesus:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:1-2

Will you give this a try? Maybe prayerfully consider setting a date in 2020 for it? Next week, I’ll share some of my thoughts from my most recent day of solitude. Hope you all have a great week!