Traveling Solo. Reclaim Your Time With God in Sanctified SolitudeNäide

Sanctified solitude is dedicating time to be with the Lord. This idea differs from those who isolate themselves. Isolation involves staying away from others, while solitude means growing closer to Christ during your alone time.

The first few trips I took alone were primarily spent in isolation. I would lie in my hotel room, phone in hand, scrolling through social media or whatever articles kept me distracted. Even though I was away from home, I wasn’t far from reminders of past experiences that shaped my outlook on life and people. My view was that life is uncertain, and people can’t be trusted. Although I was around others, I didn’t let them fully in, and even while traveling, I only experienced parts of the culture and activities, because I always had this fear of what-ifs. I kept handing my fears over to God, trusting that He would help me overcome them.

One thing was clear: as the Lord began to heal my soul, removing the complex parts of my heart and mind that perceived the world and its people as unsafe, He wanted me to invest more in experiences than in material possessions. God honored my desire to encounter Him through travel, as He divinely orchestrated chance meetings with strangers who could share stories or circumstances similar to mine. Women shared how they, too, had always wanted to travel alone but were too afraid, while others sought prayer to trust God to heal their hearts after betrayal. Though we were strangers, we trusted that God sovereignly arranged our meeting.

Solo traveling isn’t just about leaving your state or country; it's about leaving your comfort zone. Planning a solo staycation, where you stay at a local hotel in town, can also give you the distance you need from home while still providing the proximity of stillness with Christ. To sanctify your solitude is to intentionally plan your travel with God in mind. It involves making plans but trusting God to direct your steps and rising early to spend time with the Lord before starting your day.

In Jesus’ life, it was a standard discipline for Him to steal away time to pray. When those closest to Him were enjoying the company of other disciples, Jesus would seek out a place where His solitude could intersect with God’s presence. In solitude, we gain clarity and stillness that can only be found in quietness.

When you set aside time to be with the Lord, solitude may not look as you imagined. I used to think that getting away meant I wouldn’t have to engage as much with people, but what I’ve learned is that even when you are alone with God, He will still use you as a vessel to share Christ's love with those you meet. There is an example of this in John chapter 4. Jesus was on a journey with His disciples when scripture says, ''he left Judæa and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria.'' (John 4:3-4 KJV).

There was a divine appointment for a woman of Samaria who had experienced her share of failed relationships. Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down at the well and asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of water. As Jesus continued to converse with this woman, it was clear that He was on a mission that went beyond the simple drink of water that initiated the conversation; Jesus was after her heart and, ultimately, her testimony.

What may God do in and through you as you commit to travel alone?

Be Encouraged.