Have you ever felt like your mind is cluttered with endless to-do lists, worries, and distractions? In our hyper-connected world, it's easy to lose touch with what truly matters. But what if I told you there's a way to clear your mind, renew your thinking, and experience God's presence in a profound way? That's the power of solitude - being alone with God.

As I've been reflecting on Romans 12:2 lately, I've come to realize just how crucial this spiritual discipline is for our walk with Christ. The verse says:

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2 NLT)

Let's unpack what this means for us as believers seeking to grow closer to God.

Tuning Out the World's Noise

In our sermon today, we talked about how easy it is to be conformed to this world's patterns and thinking. We're bombarded by influencers, media, and cultural messages that shape our values and priorities - often without us even realizing it.

As I mentioned, "We've lost the ability in this country to think critically, analytically... We're suckers, you know, if somebody can come up to us with a lot of passion and a lot of enthusiasm, excitement, you know, they can rally us on and they can have us drink in the poison Kool-Aid in no time at all."

But God calls us to a different way. He wants us to "clean our air filters" - our mind filters - so we can hear His voice clearly. This means intentionally unplugging from the noise and distractions around us.

Creating Space for God to Speak

So how do we actually practice solitude with God? It doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few practical ideas I shared:

1. Find a quiet, uninterrupted place. This could be a room in your house, a local park, or even your car.

2. Turn off electronics and remove visual distractions.

3. Take some deep breaths and consciously place yourself in God's presence.

4. Let go of your to-do list and racing thoughts. (This takes practice!)

5. Simply be still and open your heart to listen.

As Thomas Merton, the influential Catholic author, put it: "That's the only reason why I desire solitude: to be lost to all created things, to die to them and to the knowledge of them."

When we create this space, amazing things can happen. God begins to transform our minds from the inside out.

Renewing Our Minds

The second part of Romans 12:2 talks about letting God "transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." This renewal of our minds is critical if we want to discern God's will and live in a way that pleases Him.

In moments of solitude, God can reshape our perspective on everything from political issues to how we view other people. I shared a personal example of how God changed my thinking on immigration:

"When I'm dealing with somebody at work, then I would be willing to probably bet this week's paycheck... they haven't done all their documentation. I start thinking to myself, what does God think about this person?"

God reminds me that I'm first and foremost a citizen of heaven. My primary responsibility is to see people as He does - with love and compassion, regardless of their legal status or life choices.

This kind of mind renewal doesn't happen by listening to politicians or pundits. It happens when we turn off the noise and tune into God's heart. As we do this consistently, we begin to think more like Christ.

Knowing God's Will

The beautiful result of spending time alone with God and allowing Him to renew our minds is that we gain clarity on His will for our lives. The verse promises we will "learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

When we're in tune with God, life becomes like a well-orchestrated symphony. There's a sense of alignment and rightness in our decisions and actions. We may even sense God's approval, like a divine "thumbs up."

I'm reminded of Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China. As a young boy, he made an "unreserved consecration" to God, putting his whole life on the altar. This led him to obscurity in China, but God used him in mighty ways that are still impacting the world today.

Putting It Into Practice

So how can we cultivate more solitude with God in our busy lives? Here are some practical next steps:

1. Schedule daily "unplugged" time with God. Even 15 minutes can make a difference.

2. Try making your shower time a moment of solitude and prayer. Let the water remind you of God's cleansing love.

3. Take a prayer walk, focusing on God's presence in nature around you.

4. Journal your thoughts and what you sense God saying to you in these quiet moments.

5. Practice letting go of distracting thoughts and returning your focus to God's presence.

Remember, the key is consistency. As you prioritize this time with God, you'll find your mind and heart slowly transformed. You'll gain clarity on God's will and experience His peace in new ways.

Let's make solitude with God a priority, tuning out the world's noise so we can hear His voice more clearly. As the psalmist wrote, "Let all that I am wait quietly before you God, for my hope is in you" (Psalm 62:5).

Will you join me in pursuing more of God's transforming presence this week?