Page 1 - FLIP BOOK TOPICS (A)

A RELATIONAL APPROACH TO SPENDING TIME

WITH GOD!

The next exercise of the soul, we shall look at is seeking solitude. Extroverts who draw their
energy from being with people will find this exercise difficult. However, even if you are an
extrovert, I would nevertheless urge you to consider its benefits.

James Russell Lowell says this about solitude....

If the chosen soul could never be alone

In deep minded silence open doored to God

No greatness ever had been dreamed or done

The noose of full grown souls is solitude.

What does seeking solitude entail? It involves temporarily withdrawing from activity and
finding a quiet or private place in order to rest, relax and give oneself to spiritual purposes. It
is this giving of oneself to spiritual purposes that differs from seeking seclusion or having a
day out or going on holiday.

Our Lord often sought solitude. In the passage before us today we find him involved in a
tremendous time of ministry. He healed various kinds of sickness and cast out demons from
many people.

Crowds flocked to him for spiritual and physical help. But after all this activity we read:
Jesus went out to a solitude place. At that moment it was more important to discipline himself
to be alone than to continue healing the sick and casting out demons.

Involvement with people and ministering to others is an important task, but so is solitude.
The art is to know which of the two has priority at the moment. Successful marriages are as
diverse as the variety of snowflakes.

Athletes marry artistic types and social butterfly marry the shy and retiring type. The obvious
differences can be a source of conflict. Yet with a growing understanding of oneself and
one’s spouse each can learn to adapt to the others idiosyncrasies for the long haul.

Our walk with God is much like a spiritual marriage. Jesus Christ the bridegroom has sought
us out for an eternal relationship. Because each of us has a different temperament uses a
different thought process and is at a different level of spiritual maturity each possesses a
unique relationship with Christ.

Jesus our good shepherd is well aware of our individuality and wants to give us just what we
need to grow in our walk with him. As we study the Bible, we learn more about his amazing
personal qualities and compassion for us.