Solitude was important to Jesus. He was one of the busiest men on earth and needed time away from the crowds. He loved people, but even he had to protect his emotional health and his relationship with the Father. 

Luke tells us, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16 NIV)

Mark describes, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’” (Mark 1:35-36 NIV). Despite the constant demands of people, Jesus got away from it all.

He knew when he needed to send everyone away, even his closest friends. “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” (Matthew 14:22-23 NIV)

Before one of the biggest decisions of his life, Jesus chose to spend extended time alone with the Father. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” (Luke 6:12 NIV)

Being alone with God feeds our relationship with him. It revitalizes our spirit and re-centers our life. It clears our mind to listen to God in prayer. Jesus had one-on-one time with the Father. You and I can’t ignore that for our own life. Along with the Father, we get Jesus, too, in these times of solitude!

One-on-one time with Jesus allows us to push out the action from our lives as we slow down in quietness with him. It’s about settling our spirit and communing with our Savior. 

It’s easily said, but rarely done. I think we’d admit that it isn’t a hard thing to do. So why don’t we do it?

• We are in the midst of a spiritual war. The enemy wants to distract us and keep us from Jesus.

• We live too fast. Slowing down is unusual. Stopping is rare.

• Let’s admit it. It’s boring. We approach solitude with God and want something to happen. We want action. Time with God is just the opposite. We have to change our thinking on that and realize that we are in the presence of the Lord of all. What a privilege. It’s not boring at all.

What can you push away today to carve out time alone with God?

(From my new devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days With Jesus. Available now on Amazon).