Finding the Solitary Space When the World Keeps Coming and Going

There’s a rhythm to the Savior’s ministry that, if you’ve been in the field or even just deep in study, you recognize immediately: the crowds. They are always there. Coming, going, asking for help, needing a word of comfort, needing a sign. It’s a beautiful thing, really—the constant outpouring of need that testifies of the Savior’s divinity. But sometimes, all that noise, all that good work, leaves you utterly depleted.

I was reflecting this week on the account of the disciples after John’s passing. They had just done the sacred work—they had buried a friend, they had shared the good news. And what do we see? They don't immediately report to the nearest gathering of people. Instead, they take a boat and head to a solitary place. They needed space.

It hits me, doesn't it? Even when we feel like we’ve been blessed by a successful mission, or even after a breakthrough in a challenging missionary discussion, there’s a natural, deep human need to pull back. To get to that solitary place. It’s not a retreat from the work; it’s a necessary refueling *for* the work.

The Necessity of the Solitary Place

When we are so focused on the *doing*—the lessons, the callings, the organizing, the constant effort to keep the Spirit moving—we can forget that the Spirit also requires quiet. We can become masters of the performance of discipleship, but we forget the quiet, necessary labor of the heart.

Think about it: the Savior, after all the good news and the necessary ministry, withdraws. He needs to process the loss, the heaviness of heart, the grief. He needs to be *apart*. This isn't failure; it’s divine stewardship of the self. It’s recognizing that you cannot pour from an empty cup, no matter how deeply you’ve been taught to pour.

This concept of the "solitary place" is so vital for us as rogue disciples. We are called to be internet missionaries, to be disciples everywhere, all the time. But that doesn't mean we have to be *on* all the time. It means we must know how to transition from the intense activity of the field to the quiet work of the spirit in our own homes, our own study groups, or even just sitting in quiet contemplation.

A Bite-Sized Mission-Prep Skill: Recognizing Your Own Need for Solitude

As you prepare for your next mission, or even just navigating a tough week of service, I want to leave you with this small skill. When you feel the urge to immediately jump into planning, organizing, or answering the next question, pause. Ask yourself: "What am I processing right now?" Is it the success? Is it the difficulty? Is it the loss? Give yourself permission to just *be* in the quiet for ten minutes. Don't fill the silence with scripture reading or planning; just sit with the feeling. That space is where the Spirit whispers the next direction.

This week, I’ve been diving deep into the concept of discipleship through the lens of scripture study, and I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod articles on emotional resilience. They do a wonderful job of framing spiritual endurance not as endless striving, but as patterned rest and renewal.

If you’re looking for a place to deepen this study with others, remember that HolyPlaces has some incredible Book Club and Bible Study Groups forming. It’s a wonderful way to share the load of processing with trusted companions.

What has been your most necessary "solitary place" recently? Share your insights below, or better yet, join us this week for a casual chat about discipleship challenges on the Unshaken Saints podcast. Let’s keep carrying each other through the good news and the inevitable grief.