The spiritual life is a disciplined life because there are so many things in our world that pull us towards the temporary rather than the eternal. One of the foundational spiritual disciplines is solitude. According to Dallas Willard, in solitude we purposefully abstain from interaction with other human beings.
I am more of an introvert by nature, so this discipline has never seemed to be such a sacrifice to me. However, I have begun to realize that I am also an information junky. I am constantly downloading and listening to podcasts, reading blogs & magazines, or searching for the latest trends in music, culture, and religion. This is not an inherently evil thing, but often it leaves me confused and unfocused.
Donald Miller posted a few thoughts along these lines on his website this week…
“For me, the spiritual life has been an acquired taste. I would like classical music so much more if I didn’t know about the new (insert band name here) album. I would like tea more if I didn’t know about Red Bull. But at the end of the day, I find myself tired and stressed. I think I want to slow down a bit, understand the grass is not always greener, and find joy in the mental spaces that come with a bit more work. Acquisition is not always the source of power. The people I admire the most are often the people who show the greatest resistance to the pressures of the infomercial promises. I think there is something to be said for having ‘gotten over it.’”
I have really been making a conscious effort to limit my information consumption and have focused instead on prayer, scripture reading, and time with my family. It's been a challenge and I definitely feel a little "out of the loop" but I really have noticed a change.
The normal course of life locks us into patterns of feeling, thought, and action that are geared in a world set against God. A life of solitude helps me combat the distractions from the busyness of life. It helps me to get over my information addiction and allows time and space for the development of freedom in Christ.
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