The Discipline of Solitude

Yesterdays message on the discipline of solitude really seemed to resonate with folks.  I had to laugh, however, as one man walked out after the service feigning not being able to speak.  He handed me a note that said he had started the practice already.  His wife just rolled her eyes. 

When Thomas a Kempis (1380 - 1471) wrote what we now know as "Imitation of Christ," scholars, or even those who could read, were few, but... persons who could empathize were many.  In the troubled world in which he lived, his gentle words and practical ideas resonated and are still considered the quintessential edict on the value and practice of a simple, more silent, more content, and quiet life in seeking after God.  He wrote of the peace that comes to us simply from exchanging our view of self, and identified "four things that bring great peace" (from Imitations chapt. 23, paraphrase mine) as...

1. Seeking to the will of others rather than your own

2. Choosing to have less than more

3. Looking to be last rather than first

4. Praying that the will of God will always be carried out in you 

The really radical thing about all of this is just how radical this really is!  It is alien to the way we actually live.  We claw our way to to the top, stepping on anybody we must or can  to get there - leaving chaos, confusion, and death of souls in our way.  In living as we do we become less human, moving ever further from the 'Imgao Dei' within.  We are shells of God's original intent and children, indeed, of the Garden called Eve. 

Solitude is one way to get us back to God.  Without it, especially in our world, we may not hear Him.  The psalmist writes that He speaks to us from creation, but we, as David did, must pause to listen.  

Have a great week - 

Pastor Sam