For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
We are talking this week about the importance of solitude. It makes sense that if we are going to consider making solitude a part of our lifestyle, we start by defining it. Here is what I found with an interesting yet important aside.
Solitude is defined as the state of being alone, away from other people. It can be experienced in both positive and negative ways. Some people may find solitude to be peaceful and calming, while others may find it to be lonely and isolating
As I searched out the meaning of solitude, there was a question that was repeatedly being asked. Is solitude positive or negative? It made me think of a Bible story I love, and one I want to share.
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.
The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”
Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:26-39
Philip appears to have been a Hellenistic Jew. That means he spoke Greek, as opposed to Hebraic Jews who almost exclusively spoke Aramaic. It didn’t make him especially popular in Jerusalem, but he was the perfect person to carry the gospel to the rest of the world.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:4-8
And then God spoke to Philip and told him to leave his thriving ministry behind and set off alone down the road to Gaza. Talk about solitude. Not only that, but God didn’t even tell him why. But God said “Go” and Philip went. And because he went, the gospel made its way to a whole new continent. Africa. Philip was a busy, busy man. He could have been too busy to step aside. His was a wonderful Christian ministry. But Philip took time to slow down, set himself apart, and listen to what God had to say. Figures tell us there are now 734 million Christians in Africa. And it all started with Philip’s willingness to step aside and listen to what his heavenly father had to say.
You and I may not carry the gospel to another continent, but God will use us if we take time to allow Him to talk to us. And that just might require solitude. Stop Look and Listen!!
by Bruce Hanson
