7 Habits of Highly Effective Christians #1

Habit 1:  Solitude

Verse: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

When was the last time you were by yourself in absolute silence? No music. No television. No newspapers, magazines or books. No distractions of any kind. When was the last time you were all alone listening only to the sound of the inner dialogue of your mind? Like many people, it may have been a long, long time ago.

Søren Kirkegaard ¹ wrote, “If I were a doctor were asked my advice, I should reply: ‘Create Silence.’” Yet in our fast-paced, frenzied world, silence is perhaps the most precious and under-used commodity in existence. The demands of personal life, family, career, church and community involvements are relentless and unyielding. How in the world can you afford time for silence?

Regrettably, you may be asking the wrong question. How in the world can you NOT afford time for silence?  We each have been given the same 168 hours per week. It’s up to us to prioritize our allotted time to suit our various demands and desires. Your time is in your hands. It’s your choice.

If you truly want to be like Christ, and to make a difference in this world for Him, then time with Him must be your top priority.  There’s no wiggle room in this equation:

Time with God + (Silence + Solitude + Consistency) = Difference Making

I don’t know a single Christian who is making an impact for Christ without following this formula.  You cannot become like Christ without creating silence. You cannot make a difference for Christ apart from time alone with Him.

Bible:  Today’s verse reveals that Jesus often went off alone to pray. There are at least five occasions mentioned in the Gospels when Jesus sought solitude.

Application: Jesus practiced 3 types of solitude.

• Daily: Jesus had a daily quiet time at a regular time and a solitary place. Plan to spend time each day alone with God, free from distraction. Read the Bible, pray, sing, journal, or whatever connects you with God. Although it doesn’t have to be long meeting, a daily quiet time is a vital habit!

• Periodic: Jesus periodically practiced solitude for an extended period. Spend a half-day or full day alone with God periodically. Go to the mountains, the forest, or the water. Bring fruit and cold water. Decide on a specific question to ask God, or a specific decision you are facing. Find a sizeable section of Scripture related to the question or decision.  Orient the entire day around this theme. Begin by worshiping God. Listen to some worship tapes and sing to Him. Walk and talk with Jesus. Read and re-read your selected Scripture passage. Write down what God teaches you.  And stay until He answers you.

• Unplanned: Jesus spent time in solitude when prompted.  If you can’t sleep, or the stress level is getting to you, go spend time in solitude.

Prayer
“Lord, I need to spend time with You.  Motivate me to be with You even when I don’t particularly want to.  Help me to go anyways, and warm my heart. Amen.”

1 Kirkegaard, Sören.  New York Times Magazine.  April 6, 1958.

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