Solitude is where I find myself in the Lord and where I have clarity. 

A couple of weeks ago, two of our male mentors, Matt Blair and Luis Lam ( outstanding men of God) decided to take all the men from gap year to the Appalachian trail. After a great physical challenge doing an obstacle course of sorts, we loaded up the vans and men from four squads were on their way to a get away. Little did we know it would be the complete opposite of physical. And much more mental, emotional, spiritual. 

After Matt and Luis explained our assignment, all the men ended up in hammocks and tents off the side of the Appalachian trail. What was so interesting to me is the amount of distraction that man can compile in his head. And thus leading him into less awareness of himself and his God. 

For the first 12 hours so much had to just empty out of my mind. And as the space became more available, the heart became available. As I opened and closed my eyes, in and out of prayer, I realized the Father wanted to just be with me. He is so patient. Love is Patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4) that’s what I was sitting in with God. He loves to give stories to those who become like children. So in those two days of solitude I got to, once again, become like a child, a son. 

What I felt like I heard the Lord say was, “ I am the Creator and the Filler.” We were talking about the heart and how a lot of men live on empty. When his desire for us is to live in fullness and fulfillment. From grey and cold to red and hot.