Reflecting on Solitude

I’m reading The Way of the Heart by Nouwen. In it he talks about a desert father named Anthony who spent a long time in solitude. I tend to not have a high opinion of hermits. Though living in community is tough, the friction makes us into better people when it is handled well. Moreover, as a follower of Jesus I believe I am called to live in the midst of all that comes with humanity (the good, the bad, and the ugly). Anthony was a different kind of hermit. He emerged from his season of solitude and immersed himself in society. His time in solitude enabled him to exist with a heart of peace in the midst of a broken and hurting community. His time in solitude allowed him to live in the brokenness and not be overwhelmed by it.

What does this solitude look like in the midst of community?