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Alone

I woke up before everyone the other day. This is a miracle in my home since I have such early risers. I made myself a cup of coffee, grabbed my book and my Bible, and headed outside. It had rained the night before, so this summer morning was cool and enjoyable. I sat in the silence for a bit taking in the sights and smells of aloneness. It was wonderful.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

For the most part, I don't like being alone. I like the hustle and bustle of people around me. I like to serve others and feel needed. I sleep with the TV on when my husband is away. However, I also enjoy a quiet car where I get to choose what's on the radio and no one is asking for snacks or irritating his brother.

There's value in being alone. In our culture, being alone isn't celebrated like it should. We thrive on being known. In school, we chase popularity. In adulthood, it's marriage we celebrate not singleness. We find worth in how many followers and likes we get on social media. Aloneness isn't celebrated or valued. Instead, many assume that being alone must mean there is something wrong with you.

Jesus was strategic in finding ways to be alone. He always had people following him holding onto every word he spoke. He had such a large crowd at one point that he had to get in a boat and preach from the water because there was no room for him on the shore. He knew, however, the value of being alone. Verse after verse tells us how he valued alone time.

“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.” (Mark 1:35)

“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)

“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.” (Luke 6:12-13)

“When Jesus heard what had happened [that John the Baptist was beheaded], he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.” (Matthew 14:13)

“Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” (John 6:15)

Jesus knew there was value in being alone. We need to grasp onto the understanding that being alone isn't a bad thing. It is a blessing. When I am alone I am replenished in the stillness. The quiet refills my soul. I find myself when I am alone. I discover who I am, who I need to be, how I need to better myself. I find God when I am alone. I see him in nature and my surroundings when I stop and remove myself from everything and everyone else.

We celebrate so much in this culture but being alone isn't one of them and I wonder why. Don't be afraid of being alone. Don't run from loneliness. There is value waiting for you in that space. If it's ten minutes or ten years, look for the blessing in being alone. If Jesus chased aloneness, then there must be something to it. Go be alone today. I bet you won't feel that lonely.

Love & Blessings,
Meg

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