Hasn’t this winter been incredible? Sunshine, warmer than usual temperatures. For those of us who live in this neck of the woods, an unusually dry and warm winter can be a real blessing. Yet, a couple of years of this and we would have a regional water crisis in a not too distant summer season.
I often think of the seasons of the year as I think about the seasons of our souls. For instance, Christmas time is super crowded with activity, loud, busy and often exhausting. But, it’s one of the most rewarding seasons of the year for many of us. One problem is that while we celebrate Christ’s birth and enjoy gatherings of families and friends, we often run ourselves a little too hard. In fact, with Christmas plus my work with the Seahawks I can often feel totally used up by the time February comes around.
And, that leads me to why I like this time of the year before Easter. As the pace calms, we get a little more time to ourselves along with slightly longer and brighter days. I quite often find this later winter/early spring time to be a productive season for my devotional life.
During this season of a bit more free time, I really value solitude and reflection. It’s a great season to take some chunks of time to be alone with God – in communion with Jesus. For me, I need about an hour alone and totally quiet to get myself quieted down and just enjoy “existing in the absolute presence of God”.
Gone is my prayer list. Gone is liturgy and guided ritual. It’s just me in God and God in me for that time of silent community. Without this deep well of solitude, I have trouble being anything close to the person I know God would like me to be.
So, give solitude a try. Get off somewhere alone. Pick a posture that you can maintain for an hour. Don’t worry about dozing. God loves nap time for us. I usually focus in by doing the following:
1. Acknowledge being in the presence of the Lord.
2. Ask him to empty me of any concern other than to be with the Lord at this time.
3. Open my totally being to God’s infilling Spirit and just sit with that.
4. As I draw to a close, I feel full and sense a willingness to carry the grace of these quiet moments forward into my days.
5. Try this once a week if you can and see what the results are for you!
There’s likely a hot dry summer season coming to Seattle and the heat of daily life will strain our souls at times. But, we can indeed soak ourselves in solitude and be enriched and refreshed for whatever may come.
Peace and Love to all,
Randy Rowland