REDEEMING ISOLATION

by Chris Lawson
Redeeming Isolation was first posted on EverydayExiles.com on April 1, 2020.

The world is noisy.

Your house is noisy.

My head is noisy.


EVERYTHING IS NOISY!

I need a break.

Although, I will say, this has given me the opportunity to rewatch every Superman movie.

This pleased me – I love Superman!

We will have an opportunity to explore how Superman is a Christ-figure in the future.
In the meantime, I have become fascinated by Superman’s Fortress of Solitude.

New to you?

Quick Lesson…
The Fortress of Solitude is an ice cave in the arctic that protects the last remnants of Superman’s home planet, Krypton. It allows Superman to maintain Krypton’s culture, such as its dress and technology. In addition to holding all his toys and trophies, Superman has the Fortress of Solitude as a place of refuge for the pace of New York City where he finds space to reconnect with what is most important to him.

Usually, home is the place where I recharge. Find balance. Make sure my priorities are in balance. It is my Fortress of Solitude.

But these days home is school, gym, restaurant, day care, office…the list goes on and on.

For this reason, it may be more important than ever that times of solitude be found. Jesus certainly understood the need.

Jesus Focused in Isolation
After looking through the Scriptures, I found at least six times that Jesus chose to be alone rather than with people.

1. To prepare for a major task in Luke 4:1-2, 14-15. After Jesus was baptized He spent 40 days praying in the wilderness. After this He was tempted by Satan and then began His public ministry.
2. To recharge after hard work in Mark 6:30-32. Jesus sent the 12 disciples out to do ministry. When they returned, He encouraged them to separate from the people who were following them to rest.
3. To work through grief in Matthew 14:1-13. After Jesus learned that his cousin John the Baptist had been beheaded, He went away by Himself. Yes, even the Son of God grieves.
4. Before making an important decision in Luke 6:12-13. Early in His ministry Jesus spent the whole night alone in prayer. The next day He chose his 12 disciples.
5. In a time of distress in Luke 22:39-44. Hours before Jesus was arrested, He went to the Mount of Olives and went a short distance away from His disciples to pray. He was in great emotional agony knowing what he was about to face.
6. To focus on prayer in Luke 5:16. Many times in Jesus’ ministry He spent time alone in prayer.

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Clarity Comes When Alone
Jesus found clarity for the mission when alone. In these days of social isolation, it seems even more important that we find space to get our minds clear of the constant noise, news, and nonsense.

Go for a walk.

Take a bath.

Sit outside with a Bible.

Lock yourself in the bathroom.

Find space to redeem this season of isolation by completing projects that have been shelved for a long time, change your eating habits, read daily, whatever you can do to redeem this season –  but, most importantly, reconnect with your Creator – who will get the last word on this virus.
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Chris Lawson (@thepastorchris) is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of EverydayExiles.com, husband to Merri, father to Adam, Ellie, and Zachary, and executive pastor at Reynolda Church, a growing 2,000-member multi-site church in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina. Chris has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Bluefield College, master’s degrees in theology and history from Wake Forest University, and a doctorate degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.