What is Solitude?

The world we live in seems to get louder and louder with each passing year. This poses a major problem for those of us who apprentice under Jesus. Our devices keep us tethered to a world of noise and regularly drown out the voice of God.

Jesus confronted the noises and distractions of life by regularly spending time alone with his heavenly Father. As the Gospel writer Luke puts it, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” For Jesus, solitude was a part of a necessary rhythm of retreat and return: retreat from people and distractions to be with God, in order to return to community in love and service.