Community AND Solitude

I, and I believe all of us need both community -and- solitude. We also need a balance of both to be healthy.

Some of my readers know on occasion I've written about living in community (Jesus People Chicago) for most of my life. Having joined the formation of Jesus People Milwaukee at 18 and our JPUSA branch of that, I have lived and now live with anywhere between a low of 80 adults and a fair number of children right to appx. 300 plus at any one time for more than 50 years. Intentional community means you have a sense of calling to live 24x7 365 closely with others -not always in such large numbers of course.

This means working, socializing, in our Christian fellowship study of God's Word, worship and assisting one another on every level of life including listening, prayer and sharing hopefully helpful stuff that encourages our brothers and sisters to love God and others -and themselves- as God calls us each to.

It's not "heaven on earth" though it truly is a link and at times seems to reflect such. On the other hand the pains of closely living and sharing together is found to be too much for some folks. To me it's a both/and just as community and solitude are.

Whether provided by our fellowship, your/our church or the church down the road from you or I, a local park, woodland, farm or bed-and-breakfast, campground, etc., most Americans and plenty of people living where ever on earth can find solitude. Yet some do not want it or feel they are negatively "stuck" by being alone. They recognize their deep desire and need for closeness with others, something that seems to evade them.

Others find habits of continual social media engagement online, constant family interaction, work and other "performance" elements in life intrusive, perhaps rarely allowing them moments of solitude and quiet. We all need people AND we all need the peace of silence and not having to somehow "measure up" or "keep the conversation going" endlessly. We need time to consider, ponder, reflect in our thinking. Such re-fueling is often lost in American life and generally Western living and thought, by these very points of connection with others I've just listed above.

On the other hand, without connectivity and a pure intimacy in conversation and fellowship we lose all the blessings and attendant peace that comes via here-and-now with us flesh-and-blood humans.

As a metaphor, we need group AND solo prayer times! We need God-and-me as well as God-and-us in small and even very large group settings.

The problem is some aren't thinking or applying themselves in these matters so get unhealthy in an either-or rather than both/and lifestyle.

In Milwaukee JP and here in Chicago I always appreciated the times we had a small space as a prayer chapel. From time to time I'd visit various local churches when no service was going on, just to sit, pray, think, look at the Word of God in my Bible, on the banners and walls, in the stained glass via art and/or Word and meditate, contemplate, consider. VERY refreshing to me spiritually. Similarly, in the woods, or on the edge of a lake or stream while fishing I have experienced numerous times of peace in conversation and deep thought with Jesus.

So you see, community which has often brought love, wisdom, deep acceptance along with the abrasive elements -often that last due to my own arrogance, ignorance or rebel heart- has not eliminated my ability to sit in my office, the Garden Room (here at JP Chicago) or actual garden, time at one of our many lakefront parks, etc., etc., and be alone for rejuvenating bits of time.

As a very public person, a natural extrovert whose spiritual gifts, calling and core desires all bring me to massive interaction with others I still do not need constant affirmation or an audience which can truly wear anyone out! "Performance mode" isn't a malady I want or need, that's for sure. Such is how some with a wide public reach end up role-playing and not truly "for real", mindful, living in the moment with a motive to bless others.

A natural introvert may be just as tempted to self-centered living. As per the extrovert, this, the other form of possible escapism -can be equally selfish instead of a -serving others- life. Motives in both kinds of people are important to face in the light of the Lord and His Word.

Bringing these matters to God is as much coming to Him in stillness, prayer and consideration when alone as in study, discussion and various forms of interaction with others in community.

Balance.

Please do not be condemned that you NEED alone time! Do not be down on yourself that you NEED community and connection with other people!

Our spiritual, mental, emotional and over-all health and well-being is truly a matter of both community and solitude.

As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn