Week 2
Opening Reflection: Out of Solitude
“When you pray, go in your private room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret.” —Matthew 6:6
In today’s world, media outlets and the almost endless notifications of the day constantly bombard us. Thus, this instruction from Jesus to get away with God has never been more necessary. When you spend time alone with him, turn off your phone. Doing so isn’t just good for your spiritual life—it’s good for your phone, too. The battery cools down; updates are installed.
At the very least, turn off notifications. Your time with God deserves your undivided attention.
Solitude with God is where clarity emerges. It’s where he reveals:
What he wants you to notice in his written Word
What he wants you to recognize in the circumstances of your life
What he wants you to know and do in response
These moments become even more powerful when paired with answering and journaling through the three daily questions found throughout this guide.
Why Solitude Matters
It is in solitude with God that you can identify what matters most from the many things you could do. That’s why solitude should be the most vital part of your day—a sacred time to reflect on the prior 24 hours with God and plan for the day ahead.
Without this intentional time with our Creator, life becomes a whirlwind—filled with seemingly endless, urgent tasks for each day, or, conversely, pulling you toward mind-numbing texting, scrolling, engaging in social media, watching videos, or consuming whatever captures your attention next. These distractions often lead to increased anxiety and a decreased connection with God and others. They shift our focus away from the One who can actually make sense of and guide our lives with purpose.
Solitude as Discernment
Use your solitude to ask Jesus what you should be learning from your daily experiences and interactions—even whether you should be engaging in some of them at all. In these cases, ask what he wants you to do instead. He does not want us entangled in anything that pulls our attention away from him or his will for our lives. If you listen, he will show you.
From Solitude to Structure
If you struggle with managing your time or priorities, try using the Personal Organization system in the Appendix. Most of my own Next Actions, Projects, and other priorities come directly out of my time alone with God. In just fifteen to thirty minutes each day, he gives clarity about how I should invest my time so that I can remain connected to him.
In the quiet place—away from noise, distraction, and demands—you’ll begin to hear the whisper of the One who knows your name, sees your heart, and has a plan for your day.