WHY SOLITUDE IS A PRIVILEGE

“After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone”  – Matthew 14:23.

Solitude is not simply being alone; it is the intentional choosing of space where noise, distraction, and performance fall away so we can be present with God. Jesus modeled this repeatedly — withdrawing from crowds, from success, and even from His closest friends — to pray, listen, and be renewed. In those quiet places, He discerned the Father’s will and received strength.

Solitude differs from loneliness. Loneliness is an ache, an unwanted isolation that leaves us empty. Solitude, chosen and guided by the Spirit, can be a restorative experience. It gives the heart a chance to name fears, talk to God, receive grace, and hear the gentle voice of God that is often drowned out by busyness and noise.

In the rush of responsibilities, noise, and constant input, finding quiet time alone with God is not an optional luxury — it’s nourishment for the soul. By getting still and sitting with Him, we have the honor of hearing from Him, receiving revelation through the Holy Spirit, pouring out our hearts to Him, and experiencing comfort, joy, and peace that surpass our understanding. Simply put, a “quiet time” is a way to intentionally seek God and connect with Him on a personal level. “After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone” (Matthew 14:23).

Ideally, carving out intentional time to spend with God should be a regular occurrence, a daily one. The most important thing is to give God what you can. Start with the time you have. If that looks like once a week, until you build it up to a few times, and eventually daily,

We can think of solitude as a duty or ritual, but in reality, it is a privilege. The astonishing truth is that the Creator and Redeemer of the world welcomes our voice. To speak with our Savior is not a transaction but a relationship — an intimate conversation where mercy meets honesty, where grace meets need, and where rest meets the weary.

When Jesus said, “Come to me,” He didn’t add conditions about eloquence, achievement, or spiritual resume. He opened space for the honest heart — the tired, the doubting, the joyful, the confused. Hebrews reminds us we may “approach with confidence” precisely because we approach not as strangers but as children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

So how do we live the privilege: Make a small, regular appointment: five to ten minutes at the same time each day to speak and to listen. Choose a regular time and place — morning is helpful for many, but any consistent time works. Start small — 5–10 minutes daily, then build. Consistency matters more than length. Remove distractions: put your phone on Do Not Disturb or leave it in another room.

Quiet time becomes a place where anxieties are brought before a loving Father, where hard decisions are clarified, and where ordinary days are transformed.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do your daily choices and commitments align with or diverge from what God truly cares about?
2. What habits or spiritual routines in your life might need to be reevaluated to honor God with your time better?
3. What are some ways to create more space for God?