“Alone Moments” with God
Can be as exciting, as a date with a lover
I often wondered how some people manage to stay longer in God’s presence than others. I once had a friend, who will go alone at night, to the roof top of the hostel we both stayed, to pray for hours. It did not matter how interesting our conversation was, once it was time for her prayers, she will simply excuse herself, and leave. Most times, she will hurry out, like she was having a date with someone.
I was curious. What exactly is she doing up there for that long?
Jesus Christ amongst many others in the scripture, was a clear example of someone who had “alone moments” with his father. He will often wake up early or recline after a long day to a lonely place to pray. It would not matter how busy his day was, when it was time to pray, he would depart away from everyone.
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, (Mark 1:35, ESV)
And rising early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Luke 5:16, NIV)
Does GOD prefer to meet us alone and in a quiet place?
It seems so, and majorly for our sake.
At the heat of COVID, I started to take my prayer life a bit more seriously. Just like everyone, I was on “locked down” and uncertain about the next thing. I had a lot of question and I needed answers. Unfortunately, no one had the answers, not the medical practitioners, nor the scientist. The media was worse with information. Most news brought more gloom than hope.
Then I turned to Jesus. It was not like I did not know him or had turned away from him. But I found myself spending more time in the place of prayers, asking the questions, I had initially looked to the world for.
A place of Answers
Strangely, I got answers to most of my questions at those “alone times” with God. Some answers came in form of subtle thoughts, others from the worship song that I listened to, while most came while I studied the scriptures.
It was then I realised, that God had been waiting for me all these while. I just needed to stay longer in His presence for him to speak. It appeared that just when he was about to speak, was when I was hurrying to leave his presence.
In the middle of a chaotic world, I found myself in a love date with my maker. Most nights I was awake just basking in His presence. It was enjoyable and refreshing!
Just like my friend who hurried to the rooftop to pray, I soon found myself hooked to the secret place of God.
Secrets are not revealed in the open
Family time is precious in my home. My husband and I, encourage our children to talk about anything. Sometimes it could be over lunch, or as we drive together in the same car. However, as my son attained a certain age, he started to call for separate meetings with my husband to talk about “boy’s stuff.”
Honestly, I became jealous as I felt left out of those conversations. I wondered, what secrets the duo shared that I was not supposed to know about.
But I soon got it. My son needed time alone with someone he could be vulnerable with, and gratefully his father was his first choice.
One of the reasons God wants to meet us alone and in a quiet place is for the purpose of revelation. Naturally, no one wants to reveal a secret in the public.
When God calls us to the secret place, he wants to reveal himself to us, as well as reveal his plans for our lives.
This was seen when God was about to give the Israelites his ten commandments, He first called Moses up to the mountain to fellowship with him alone.
“Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel (Exodus 19:3, NIV)
God is able to reveal to us the next steps of our lives during our “alone moments” with him. This is the reason the secret place needs to be a quiet place, void of all distraction.
The quality of our “Alone Moments” with God will determine the quality of our “Public Life”.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matt 6:6, NIV).
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward (Matt 6:5, NIV)
We can let our guards down.
One of the best things about meeting God alone is the opportunity to be vulnerable. There won’t be the need to role play before him, like we can be forced to do when we are in a large gatherings.
In God’s presence, we can paint situations the way they are, without fear of being reproached or judged. In his presence we can cry, lament, scream or simply be speechless. No holds back!
Caution: It might take a while, do not Quit!
When I started my “Alone moments” with God, it was awkward. I did not understand what else to do with “nobody” in a room. I will sing a few worship songs, then read the scriptures. In just few minutes, I was done and ready to leave. On the contrary when I was in church or praying with other people, I felt more motivated and willing to stay longer in God’s presence.
However, as soon as I found the patience to stay longer in Gods’ presence alone, I felt God speaking to me more. I realised I was not the only one in the room. God is very much present!
The more I listened and did the things I heard Him speak to me about, the more positive results I had in reality. Eventually, I became fulfilled and motivated to keep going back for more.
In summary, God earnestly waits for all his children to spend time with Him in worship and prayers. When we worship him amidst others, he is there for us and everyone there.
However , when we spend time with him alone, just like a date between two lovers, we get to know him better, and in turn we know ourselves for what God has called us to be.
In his presence, God reveals his secret counsel to his children through the Holy Spirit.
