Practical Theology Series: Role of Solitude in the life of the Disciple.

Practical Theology Series:

 

Role of Solitude in the life of the Disciple. 

Solitude is a necessary and essential ingredient in the healthy disciple’s life.  It is essential because:

1.            It helps the disciple to centre himself/herself on the teacher- Christ and be regularly renewed in Him. 

2.            It promotes healthy active ministry. 

3.            It provides the disciple with rest, which is essential to growth and sanctification. 

4.            It helps the disciple to maintain a healthy awareness of self (strengths/weaknesses). 

5.            It helps the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being the disciple. 

6.            It nurtures an intimate relationship with God.

The word Solitude may sound foreboding to some people and may be confused with loneliness.  The Oxford Dictionary encapsulates the difference- “1. Solitude is the state of being alone, or remote from society; 2. A lonely place- a desert.  Solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or compulsion from one’s neighbours, friends and family”.

Solitude must be sought in the disciple’s life every day –some quiet time to be in God’s presence. However, extended regular periods of solitude is also advisable such as a day alone with the Lord or a retreat (7-10 days each year). 

Speaking personally, I have found monthly ‘retreat days’ and an extended retreat each year an absolute essential to my spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing.  Whenever I have neglected this aspect, I have ‘paid the price’ of shifting my emphasis from Christ as teacher.  Many other less desirable qualities creep in when I am not vigilant in this regard.

For those Christian who say I am too busy to have a retreat day/week, I pose the following thoughts:

o        Are you too busy for Christ? Who is the teacher, Christ or yourself? 

o        What is the quality of your ministry? Is it healthy or unhealthy? 

o        Do you wish to continue in healthy active ministry?   

o        Jesus himself needed and took ‘time out’ to be with His Father and to pray intensely when decisions were to be made (eg choosing His disciples). 

o        Are you afraid of being alone with yourself?  How can you be alone when Christ is with you in that desert place/lonely place?

Receiving the sacraments, journal and bible reading are nourishing tools in solitude, but there also need to be flexibility so that the disciple allows the Lord to speak and he/she listens.  Applying it to our lives, I see its potential and value- (perhaps rest from study or work, but also an opportunity to gain fresh insight into the work we are doing

Above all, solitude is time for the disciple and teacher -Christ.  We can be like Mary and sit at our master’s feet and listen to Him.