Am I Alone?

Rachel Wyatt

As a self-professed introvert, I am very proud to announce to anyone I meet that I need quiet time on my own! However, when I think about it more deeply...

am I actually ever a l o n e ?

In this world of technology, even when I am sitting alone at home, I am surrounded by people via the TV, social media, messages, the list goes on!

‘We are always alone together,

never in solitude but also never in community.’

John Mark Comer

We go home at the end of the day thinking we will find silence and solitude, instead we are bombarded with noise.

With this revelation, I have decided to put time into practicing silence and solitude, and I want to invite you to join me. If you’re not familiar with exactly what silence and solitude is, don’t worry.

I’m here to tell you.

In all areas of life, we learn by adding - reading books, listening to podcasts watching YouTube videos, all to be more knowledgeable.

Solitude is not like this, it’s about being free from all inputs and distractions leaving only God and our own heart as the remaining inputs for that intentional time.

The aim of solitude is an encounter with Jesus.

I’m married to the a m a z i n g John, if John and I never had time alone together our relationship would start to break down. Maybe we would never have built a great relationship to begin with.

It’s the same with God, if we don’t spend time alone with Him, we cannot encounter Him and therefore our relationship with God will not grow and may even deteriorate.

We cannot have a relationship with God without solitude.

We see Jesus in the Bible on many occasions spend time in solitude. In Mark 1, we read of Jesus doing healings, then this happens in Mark 1:35,

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Mark 1:35

Even after a busy day, Jesus prioritises being in solitude to encounter God.

So how do you begin with solitude?

Here are my top tips of where to start:

Set aside a period of time. (start small and build up, I started with 5 minutes)

Find a quiet place, free from distractions and people. (remove all inputs, don’t read, don’t listen to music)

Invite God into the space with you, sit in silence and stillness.

and finally, this is not about doing, this is about being.

It’s not unproductive to spend time with God.

Here’s a short prayer you could use as you start your time of solitude.

Father God, thank you for being with me now.

Please take away any distractions. I give you my time and my focus. Speak to me and show me what you’re doing today.

Amen.