Following Jesus

Following Jesus, the disciples were led into the experience of solitude. It began for them in a way similar to that of Abraham. They were called from their family fishing business to a life of dependence (Mk 1:17–18).

In the apostle Paul we see even more clearly the way of solitude. He writes that shortly after his conversion, he was led into a period of solitude in Arabia in which he was instructed by the Lord (Gal 1:15–17). On several occasions he was put in prison. Although his isolation was imposed upon him, he turned it from a time of loneliness into a fruitful solitude. In Ephesians he refers to himself as “a prisoner of the Lord,” trusting that the Lord himself was working through his jailers. By his exercise of faith Paul escaped being a victim. From those prison experiences he wrote letters that have spiritually nourished millions of Christians for almost two thousand years.

The last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, was given in solitude. John was confined on the island of Patmos. While he was worshiping the Lord, he heard a voice, saw a vision and was given a glimpse of the end of history.