"I felt closer to my fellow men, too, even in my solitude. For it is not physical solitude that actually separates one from other men, not physical isolation, but spiritual isolation. It is not the desert island nor the stony wilderness that cutes you from the people you love. It is the wilderness of the mind, the desert wastes in the heart through which one wanders lost and a stranger. When one is a stranger to oneself then one is estranged from others too. If one is out of touch with oneself, then one cannot touch others."
Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift From the Sea
"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong."
Ecclesiastes 5:1
I've been thinking a lot about solitude lately, mostly because the subject keeps popping up in nearly everything I read. Even the fiction book I'm reading, The Light Between Oceans, is about solitude, about a lighthouse keeper and his wife living alone on a tiny island.
And, you know, as an introvert I'm all about spending time alone. That's my happy place. But I think that true solitude is about more than that; it means stilling your heart and mind more than (or along with) your physical surroundings. I spend a lot of time alone, but I've only recently started making it more purposeful.
I'm trying to intentionally seek out quiet time in which I simply sit and listen. This is something that's always been hard for me, just sitting there, waiting. What was the point, I thought, when I can't hear Him speak?
But now I'm finding that, even though I don't necessarily hear Him speak in those minutes of silence, it somehow opens up my heart to hear Him at unexpected moments as I go about my day. Maybe that's what it's about, giving Him room to come on in.
I want to continue to explore this solitude thing more. Make it a way of life. Because being alone in and of itself is not life giving. I can be constantly check my phone, flitting aimlessly from one project to another, not really settled in my spirit. But true solitude is a stillness of the heart, a peace that gives the day meaning, intention, and a sense of awareness of what really matters. An openness to God and to people.
Join me?
I love this. Also, I recently read The Light Between Oceans and thought it was incredible. I was sobbing by the end (it was that moving). Thanks for sharing this :)
ReplyDeleteWorking from home, I have many moments of solitude, but there could be in them more stillness and purpose. Good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSuch beauty. I agree with you. As an introvert myself, I still need to be intentional about using solitude in a way that grows me closer to the Lord.
ReplyDeletePerfectly said. It is a peacefulness, a stillness of the heart. Love that. I, too, have been trying to be more intentional with my time, especially when alone. It's hard to sit back and not distract yourself with so many things, but those moments in pure solitude with God are some of the best in the world :)
ReplyDeleteExactly. So well said. I'm with you, all the way.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect. I'm of a different faith, but believe in this same idea. Once, I had someone else told me that he would spend a moment every morning to ask God if there was anyone that needed him that day, and just by taking that moment, he was more open to receiving the promptings of where he should be and when.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder!