If you have read my last two blogs, then you know about some of the recent social struggles I've been dealing with. The good news is God is teaching me a vital tool that can help with these things. SOLITUDE. Being comfortable with being by myself, and rediscovering my inner-introvert. At home its easy to do this, but on a journey such as the race even realizing that I need time to myself is a challenge.
I have found that the art of solitude, for an extrovert such as myself, is a highway to hearing God and experiencing that pure one on one time with Him. It allows God to put things into perspective for me and really remove all the extra chaff that's hanging on to my brain.
Recently I've been reading a book called The Wolverine Way. The book is basically a bunch of wildlife biologists talking about there experiences with wolrverines and there mannerisms. Not only can the Wolverine fight full grown bears of their own prey, but the animal covers countless miles of territory all on its own and remains one of the most feard and solitary creatures in North America. The book isn't a Christian book or anything, but the Wolverines mannerisms is oozing with what God is trying to teach me in my own life; Fearlessness in regards to man and being comfortable with being by myself. I obviously need lean on my teammates when its necessary, but I can't keep acting like a sick pup that needs and needs and needs to be around someone 24/7. He wants me to be able to rest in Him. To rely on Him, not just for salvation, and protection, but for a sound mind, and to rest in the solitary silence of His presence. He wants me to be fearless toward man and what man might think or say, but at the same time fierce and aggressive for His Kingdom, just like the Wolverine.
Solitude allows us to quiet the other influences and voices. It's really quite refreshing. If any extremely extroverted feelers are reading this I encourage you to go off somewhere (I prefer the outside) and just shut up for a while at least for the first 30 minutes to an hour, breath, then after you've had time to really cultivate a clear mind just talk to God. You'll be suprised at what happens. You'll discover that even the biggest extroverts, like myself, can become okay with solitude. You know why? Because you can find God in it, and that's who I can always run to and rely on.
Be blessed,
Steven Buffington
