. . . Jesus would withdraw to desolate places and pray--Luke 5:16

Why are we men so bad at solitude? Our king did it quite well. As a man, Jesus knew his limitations. He understood his need to connect with his father—to his guidance and power. He knew how good that connection was. He wants us to know too.

If it’s so good, though, why do we struggle? Well, it’s a little because we’re busy. Solitude is hard when you’re working and/or married and/or have kids and/or have friends. And, it’s a little because we’re not well practiced. Our culture trains us for motion and multitasking—not for slowing and simplifying. And it’s a little because, deep down, we know solitude means confrontation. You see, solitude removes distractions and leaves us, for a few minutes, alone with God the Holy Spirit. Solitude is sometimes defined as being alone, but we aren’t. The Spirit dwells within us (1 Corinthians 3:16). God’s right there. And we never know what might happen when we’re alone with God. He might ask us to stop something we don’t want to stop or start something we don’t want to start. He might. He does that (Hebrews 12:5). But if we avoid his confrontation, we’ll miss his companionship, counsel, comfort, restoration, and rescue. So, we must take courage. We must not worry that we don’t yet do it well. And, we must make solitude a priority, just as Jesus did.

Okay, so what do we do?

Start small. Find something that works for you. Turn off devices and take a walk at work—at lunchtime or during a break. Get some air in your neighborhood after dinner. Slip outside just before bed and sit quietly in the dark. And, if you’re ready for more, take a half-day or full-day or overnight solo trip into the outdoors. Get alone with God!

A Series through the major themes of the Book of Proverbs

Join us Thursday Evenings 7pm where we will be going through the Boob of Proverbs for our Mid Week Bible Study.

Wisdom is often the difference between barren living and fruitful living. The proverbs often present choices we must make between the two.

We will be covering key topics like:

Relationships within the Family
Anger
Friendship
Justice
Humility
Money
Honesty
Happiness
Diligence

And so much more! Don't miss out on this crucial practical study in Scripture.


Proverbs speaks to The Hopeful Man
In these last days we are being exposed to global issues that affect the lives of us all. As the unbeliever faces physical upheavals, economic downturn, terrorist threats, increased taxes, and unemployment, their hearts fail them for fear of the future. The Bible describes their condition as being without God and without hope in this world. As believers we need to search our own hearts at this time and honestly assure ourselves, like the Psalmist, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance” (Psalm 42:5).

Our encouragement to continually hope in God is found in the Scriptures: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope“ (Rom.15:4). The Bible declares that hope in God looks forward to an end with expectancy. We must continue to flee for refuge to the Word of God and “lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Heb. 6:18, 19).

It has been a great help for me to have hope defined as expectation and desire or a confident expectation. To expect something without desiring it can be dread. To desire something without expecting it can lead to despair. But put these two together and we have a sure hope. Our hope is anchored in the person of Christ. Our end is focused upon His promised return. He is our hope, for we expect Him to come at any time, and we desire Him to come, that we might be with Him eternally.

The challenge for us is to live in the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We face the same trials and tribulations that the unbelievers face. 2 However, we face them with a different attitude. Because we have access by faith into His Presence, we can stand confident of our end and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Such hope is a reality because Christ in you is a reality. It behoves us, therefore, to so proclaim Christ warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ (Col.1:28). Herein we labour as God works mightily in us by His indwelling Spirit to enkindle a passion for Him so that we live each day looking for that Blessed Hope, a confident expectation in the character of God.