But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. Mark 4:34b

Depending on the circumstances and your temperament, being alone can be a calm, peaceful state or a destitute, painful place.

Generally speaking, it’s when we’re by ourselves that we seem to be able to do our best thinking. Jesus modeled this alone-time for us, jumping into a boat to leave the crowds across the Sea of Galilee or heading up into the Garden of Gethsemane to be with his Father in prayer.

We read: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16); and “Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35b). Now, it can be hard to find somewhere to be alone—it was for Jesus. The old version of the Bible said, King James Version of: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret” (Matthew 6:6a KJV).  For several years, my “prayer closet” was a real clothes closet, where I could sit and close the door behind me!

When we’re too busy to commune alone with Him, “God will keep harrowing us in until He gets us alone…He will take us through the disappointment of a wounded pride of intellect, through disappointment of heart.  He will reveal inordinate affections—things over which we never thought He would have to, to get us alone,” explained Oswald Chambers.

It’s because of love. When two people are in love, they want to be alone together, to focus only on each other. So God’s love for you is intensely personal. Take time alone with Him today.

 

Resource reading: Mark 1:35