This week, I found it harder to practice solitude. Typically, solitude for me means spending about 15 minutes in quiet—simply listening and being in the LORD’s presence. I don’t ask God for anything; I just try to empty my mind to be fully present with Him.

Ironically, even though I was home alone, my time of listening was interrupted by thoughts of Tammi, Joshua, the house foundation (post and pier), and even a wind-damaged fence. It was a clear reminder of how easily our minds can become crowded, even in moments meant for quiet reflection with God.

I felt the LORD say that He was pleased, and in that moment, I prayed for a vision for our new formationhawaii.org website. I even began journaling my thoughts—perhaps some of these reflections will find their way onto the new site!

A thought occurred to me as I considered the warmth of the sun on my skin. The sun gently warms us, yet if we linger too long, it can become uncomfortably hot or even sting. Our natural instinct might be to retreat indoors, to seek comfort by turning on the air conditioner. But isn’t this an analogy for life?

We’re not called to seek a life of constant, man-made comfort. Instead, we are invited to engage fully with the real world. Sometimes, life offers us warmth and joy; at other times, it brings intense heat or even pain. Our response can either be to isolate ourselves within cocoons of comfort or to embrace all that life presents—its warmth, its challenges, and even its stinging moments.

As a disciple of Jesus, our purpose is active: to engage with the world and play a part in unifying heaven and earth through how we live our lives.

Sabbath + Solitude create a sacred space where I can follow what Jesus says and does. It is in these quiet moments that I learn to live out the Shema—to love the LORD our God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This week, I encountered a Greek word, katergazesthe (kah-ter-gah-zes-thay), which means to bring about or work out through continuous, sustained, and strenuous effort. In the context of spiritual formation, this concept beautifully captures how God works in us—often through a process of wrestling and persistent effort—to bring about His good work.