The Value of Solitude

By Gena Granberg

About 10 years ago I added a weekly time of solitude with God to my schedule. At the time, Stan and I had just started a new church planting ministry and I was keenly aware of how this could not be done without God at the front and center as our guide. I was desperate for him.
I struggled for quite a while to get this regular solitude time to take hold. Eventually, I found for me, the essential piece was dedicating a place to be in solitude with him.

When we lived in Portland, OR it was the Columbia River gorge with its mighty cliffs, deep valley, mighty river, and majestic Mt. Hood above it all. Now in Jonesboro, AR my place looks quite different with its playgrounds, picnic pavilions, fishing pond, and walking path. Wherever my dedicated place for solitude, here are some things he teaches me when I’m alone with him.

1. Whether it be Mt. Carmel, Mt. Sinai, or the Cross, when God’s people have encounters with Him, we are forever changed. For me, my regular place of solitude is the anchor for my soul. It helps me feel settled, stable, and gives structure to my spiritual journey.
2. As I travel each week to this place, my emotions become focused. I anticipate my continuing conversation with my God and Savior. I become prepared to be in His presence simply by the act of driving to the special place.
3. I remember past groanings of my soul, heart wrenching sobs, begging prayers, answers to prayer, and times my soul has soared with Him…in this place. The history that I share with God is rehearsed and gives perspective to that week’s issues and joys. I again comprehend some of what He has invested in me.
4. A place and time where I regularly am honest with myself, and Jesus, is freeing. No pretending, no fooling anyone, no rationalization, just face to face dialogue. This is a place where I talk of failures, successes, grace, forgiveness, acceptance, and I take a deep look regularly at reality under His guidance.
5. Do I have a “Mt. Carmel” experience every week at this special place? No. Do I ever have an encounter with God somewhere other than this place? Yes. But still I go each week to this place because I want to acknowledge him as Lord of my life, bow before him, and to be transformed by his spirit.

We encourage all of our church planters to establish spiritual rhythms, including solitude. For some groundwork on the importance of putting these rhythms in your life, read Ruth Haley Barton’s Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.