Alone With God

Last night, Charles Stanley gave an excellent sermon on "Solitude."  I wish I had taken notes, in order to share his thoughts with a wider audience.  In the beginning, he pointed out the difference between "loneliness" and "solitude."  Most of us have experienced both loneliness and solitude, so we know the difference.  In loneliness, which even Jesus experienced, we feel cut off, abandoned by everyone, isolated and dejected, even useless.  In solitude, however, though we are alone, we feel, not isolated from, but connected to God, the universe, and our fellow travelers.

People who go camping usually do so because they love the feeling of being alone under the stars, beside the running streams, under the trees, or overlooking a wide-open meadow with mountains in the background.  Even if they are with other people, there can be a wonderful sense of solitude under the sky.

Stanley talked about seeking solitude to experience the presence of God.  He mentioned that this time of being alone with God is not for the purpose of Bible Study or even of prayer -- it is solely for the purpose of resting in the Presence of God, much as we rest in the presence of nature.  We can read the Bible a bit to help us focus our thoughts on God, and we can pray a bit for the same reason.  But mainly, our task during the time is to shut out all distractions, so that our minds don't wander off.  He spoke about a time when he had to get away from the office, from the phone calls and interruptions, etc. in order to seek God.  He went down to the basement, where there were no windows, into a room that was separated from the rest of the church by 3 other rooms.  There, no sounds entered to demand his attention.  He learned that, for him, it was necessary to shut out everything else to seek the Presence of God, even to the point of sitting in a dark room.

For me, I find that I need to be close to a window.  A closed and darkened room seems to shut down my soul, while light and beauty opens it up.  However we find the Presence of God, though, it is important that we seek it.

First of all, like two lovers meeting away from the eyes of the world, God doesn't need our accomplishments, our knowledge, or our good deeds.  He only wants US.  He wants us to look at Him, and He wants to reveal Himself to us.  He wants to share with us His love, His goodness, His thoughts, His ways.  He wants to build up confidence in us that we are not alone, that He is with us.  He wants to give us strength and courage to meet whatever our day brings.  And He wants to give us His own peace and joy.

Surely that is worth seeking His Presence.  Those who go camping to "get away from it all" go a great deal of trouble preparing their supplies, driving to their destination, and setting up camp.  For them, it is more than worth the trouble it takes to enjoy the solitude and the connectedness they feel out in the wilderness.  How much more worth while is it for us to take a little trouble to seek solitude with God!  For He does not disappoint us when we seek Him.  He is there, waiting, waiting, waiting -- and finally, like Jacob, we cry out, "Surely God was in this place, and I knew it not!"

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