A Solitary Space

Garden at Kubota Ichiku Kimono Musuem

'Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.' Mark 1:35

In April 2007, I chanced upon this quiet wooded area just outside the Ichiku Kubota Kimono Art Musuem on the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko in the Yamanashi, Japan. The extensive gardens designed by the artist himself stretch from the entrance gate far into the wooded slopes behind the museum buildings. I took a solitary stroll along quiet paths and hummed softly the Christian song, In The Garden. 

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am his own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

The garden and the solitary walk epitomises man's need for silence, stillness and solitude. Emeritus Bishop Robert Solomon in his book 'Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christians' (Ref 1) observed that the speed of life has increased in the crowded social environment and the soul cannot keep up with the body. Perhaps the enforced social distancing and the ban on overcrowding brought about by the current Covid-19 pandemic have brought us to recognise this need.

We need to find our God-given space to be alone with God. The Latin term 'Coram Deo' describes this space as being in the presence of God or before the face of God. We need not find a solitary place, just a solitary space, which Richard Foster reminded us as 'a state of mind and heart.' 

Being alone is not the same as being lonely. Being alone or finding solitude is a choice as in Jesus getting up early in the morning and to retire to a solitary place. Being lonely is an imposition much like not having friends, no fellowship and perhaps pining for the company of others.

Sometimes we go out of the way to find peace and quiet as in the case of the garden at the Ichiku Kubota museum. Other times it would suffice just to keep to ourselves in our rooms. Bishop Solomon added "It is not where we are that matters but who we are with. The place of solitude is where we are alone with God." 

The Hebrew word, 'Kavanah' convey the concept of being aware of God's presence. This is especially enhanced when we find a solitude which Henri Nouwen calls the "solitude of the heart, an inner quality or attitude that does not depend on physical isolation." (Ref 2) Dave Adamson wrote "The key is to intentionally focus on God in everything we do. Kavanah comes when you have a mindset that God is in every conversation, every step, every breath, every action and reaction, every relationship, every social media post, everything.' (Ref 3)

Solitude in a lonely garden, a desert or a crowded city engender a spiritual longing for God.

'You God are my God 

Earnestly I seek You

I thirst for You

My whole being longs for You." (Psalms 63:1)

A favourite worship song, written by Don Moen expresses this longing for God in more contemporary language and music - 'I Just Want To Be Where you Are.' 

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me near to where you are

I just want to be where you are

In your dwelling place

In your dwelling place forever

Take me to the place where you are

'Cause I just want to be with you

I want to be where you are

Dwelling in your presence

Feasting at your table

And surrounded by your glory

In your presence

That's where I always want to be

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me

Draw me near to where you are

Oh my God, you are my strength and my song

And when I'm in your presence

Though I'm weak, you're always strong

In your presence

That's where we always want to be

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

Lionel

 

Ref 1: Robert M Solomon, Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christians. Genesis Books, 2021.

Ref 2: Henri J M Nouwen, Reaching Out - The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. Doubleday 1975.

Ref 3: Dave Adamson, 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. Christian Art Gifts, 2018.