“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

Mark 1:35

Jesus had a regular quiet time, Jesus insisted on getting alone so He could spend time with God without everyone else around. Solitary places and experiences draw us away from the flame, they prepare us to go back into the mainstream of faith and witness.

We not only need solitary places to get “far away from the world” but we need solitary places of the heart that keep us centered and at peace when the world is pushing and shoving. Solitude is a gift, it is an invitation to prepare for life’s challenges; to enter into deep relation- ship where you receive soothing, healing and connection with God; it is an opportunity to be equipped to face crisis and tasks, tests and trials. It is an invitation to be loved and cared for.

The purpose of being alone is to help you crowd out all the noises of the world so that you are in a position to listen to God. However, it is pretty easy to exit from the world’s noise, but it is very difficult to exit from the noises that are occurring in our head. If you want to hear from God, you have to make sure you carve out time to spend with God.

There are times you might have to leave your familiar community and you may even have to leave your family for a day. Jesus had to go into this time of silence and solitude to recharge His battery and when He came out, He came out of it better equipped to continue to do His minis- try. He knew the importance of a time alone with God and He should be our example.

The people that are serious about growing deep in discipleship will do this and it is essential you do this because you cannot grow deep in discipleship unless you carve out time to listen to God. Jesus Christ, the Master of all, never left the basics in His relationship with His heavenly Father. Time alone with God was an essential of Jesus’ life.

His pattern should challenge us to ask some searching questions: Am I beginning each day alone with God? Do I long to do His will in everything? Do I depend on His power? The Lord will help you and I in Jesus mighty name.

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Garment of Praise

Monthly Insights for Spiritual Growth, Encouragement and Personal Victory.

Oluyemisi Onanuga

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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