Rhythms of Solitude part 1

Experiencing God in the Everydayness of Life

And rising very early in the morning while it was still dark he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35

I have always been amazed at Jesus’ habit of solitude. It is something that consistently presents itself throughout the gospels and consistently remains aloof in my life. In rhythmic fashion, Jesus withdraws from public adoration into quiet aloneness. Jesus sets an incredible example for us pursue silence, quiet, and solitude not to run from it.

Take a look at Mark’s display of Jesus’ rhythm of finding solitude to strengthen his relationship with the Father and have strength to face tomorrow.

JESUS’ RHYTHM OF SOLITUDE FROM THE GOSPEL OF MARK

1. Jesus heals many. The whole city was at his door. Mark 1:32–33
2. Jesus rises very early and departs into solitude to pray. Mark 1:35
3. Jesus goes out and preaches, heals a leper. Mark 1:40–44
4. Jesus retreats from the oncoming crowds and withdraws into solitude to pray. Mark 1:45
5. Jesus’ house is surrounded by crowds of people, and Jesus heals a paralytic man. Mark 2:2
6. Jesus heals a man with a withered hand. Mark 3:1–6
7. Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea (despite a great crowd who followed) Mark 3:7
8. Jesus had a boat ready in case the crowd would become too great. Mark 3:8–12
9. Jesus went up on a mountain, away from the crowd, and called to him some disciples and appoints the twelve. Mark 3:13
10. Jesus preached the parable of the sower to a great crowd from a boat. Mark 4:1–9
11. Jesus waited till he was alone with only his twelve disciples to reveal the purpose of the parables. Mark 4: 10–33 (he privately explained everything to the disciples, v. 33)
12. Jesus left the crowd to cross the sea of Galilee. Mark 3:36
13. Jesus sleeps on the cushion in the stern of the boat during a massive storm. Mark 3:38
14. Jesus wakes from sleep and says, “Peace! Be still!” Mark 4:39–41
15. Jesus steps off the boat and immediately he is met there by a demon possessed man and Jesus heals him. Mark 5:1–20
16. Jesus heals many, trains the twelve. Mark 5–6.
17. Jesus hears of the murder of John the Baptist and goes away to rest in solitude with the disciples because he didn’t even have a spare moment to eat. Mark 6:31–32
18. Jesus tries to withdraw to a desolate place but the crowds of people recognize him and follow him there. Mark 6:32–33
19. Jesus steps off the boat and witnesses the crowd that had recognized him and he had compassion on them, he then feeds 5,000 of them in the desolate place. Mark 6:34–44
20. Immediately, Jesus leaves with his disciples in a boat and withdraws to a mountain to pray in solitude. Mark 6:45–46
21. Jesus was alone. Mark 6:47

The Secret Sauce

Jesus’ rhythm of solitude was clearly evident in his ministry and could be said was the “secret sauce” or source of his power. Then why could it be said for us as followers of Jesus, we can’t seem to find a moment to spare? And when we have a moment to spare we fill it up with social media, Netflix binge watching, and other distractions. The reason we don’t follow Jesus’ rhythm of solitude is for a variety of reasons, but I think the main one is because we are not comfortable being alone with ourselves or with God. I believe the key to experiencing God in the everydayness of our lives comes down to cultivating a raw authenticity with ourselves with ourselves and with our God. This comes by exposing your darkness to God’s light. Genuine honesty about who you are and who you are not and how God still loves you for all that you are and all that you are not. Spending time in solitude allows us to find space to be alone with God and allow him to speak to us… no… actually, we allow ourselves to actually hear what he has already been saying.