Alone: Merriam-Webster defines alone: : “separated from others”—Kinda feels familiar? There are over a half dozen words that can relate to our COVID-19 experience of the past year; words like alone, lone, lonesome, lonely, forlorn, solitary, desolate, come to mind. We’ve heard the counsel, “Find the silver lining in the clouds.” Easier said than done; but possible.
Living under directives to “Shelter in Place,” “Keep physical distance,” and other healthy practices, the psyche, or soul, or personality suffered. Some more than others—for varieties of reasons; family, work, school, health, and more. In most cases, there was little choice. Yet there are always choices, within limits. The foundational choice is attitude.
Make that significant choice. Attitude! “Alone” and “solitude” sound like different names for identical conditions. But how different they turn out as a result of attitude, or personal choice. This COVID-19 Pandemic may seem new, and facing it unique. Not so. Humanity has faced and successfully dealt with its cousins’ onslaughts for centuries. For help, almost instinctively, we tend to turn to Holy Scripture. There, ample substance is found from our ancient Fathers and Mothers of Faith.
In Holy Scripture there is positive distinction and help in being “alone,” and in choosing “solitude.” The Prophet Elijah had good reason to feel “alone.” He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone (Bold mine) am left; and they seek to take my life.” Elijah focused only on his own problems. He lost perspective. Read the entire chapter to see the possibilities he overlooked. At last he found he was not alone! God had been with him all along.
In similar manner solitude can seem oppressive That is, unless you do as Jesus did: two passages clearly point to Jesus’ choice; 1) A tiring day of teaching, healing, and dealing in general with the crowds, Jesus “went away” into solitude to pray. (Matthew 14:22-27) Another time, as he faced the most momentous hours of his life, he chose solitude as he “went away to pray.”
If you did not learn to use solitude, or to be alone during the COVID-19 Pandemic, there is still time. It is not necessary to go away on a weekend retreat, or take a day away, or kneel and close your eyes praying; although those could be helpful. You can choose solitude at that traffic light that takes too long; or waiting in line (car pool or curbside—as I think about it, you likely need a prayer time there); Turn off electronics for the moment, focus on a word of Scripture, a favorite hymn phrase. Any of these can help you find a refresh you sorely need.
The late Henri Nouwen touts solitude as a choice—no, an essential, antidote for morbid isolation; he speaks of solitude as being “…alone with God… develop(ing) a simple discipline or spiritual practice to embrace some empty time and empty space every day.” You may choose to be alone with God; listen to the voice of the prophet, Isaiah “Fearnot, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
A good word!