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Life Together: Chapter 3 The Day Alone

Chapter 3: The Day Alone 
Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

Christian Community as we discussed previously is a gift which Jesus has given to the church so that we can build one another up as we await Jesus' return. However, as Bonhoeffer proceeds to explain that community is not created simply to fill a hole in the life of a lonely person. It is meant for more than that and God has not called His people to reliance on others but reliance on Him. He has also not called His people to utter solitude nor isolation from the body of Christ. Community within the church is meant to be enjoyed as a gift not as a god. 

I love Bonhoeffer's line which says "let him who cannot be alone beware of community and let him who is not in community beware of being alone". When I read this line I think of myself at different times throughout my Christian walk and other Christians who I have seen struggle with finding the balance between the two. For me, as a younger Christian I sought out Christian community for the social aspect; I did not want to be alone. I have seen other Christians do the same. They are not necessarily looking to grow in their faith but seeking a place where they do not have to be alone. I have also met other Christians who rather be isolated from Christianity. Some because they don't feel like they can agree with other Christians so they will just live the Christian life on their own; just them and God. I have met others still who just feel like they don't belong or like they don't perform well in Christian community and therefore they avoid it. 

Bonhoeffer then goes on to connect our pattern of solitude to our practice of silence. He suggests that if Christians are regularly practicing the spiritual discipline of solitude and silence then community and speech will come more easily. This concept is one that might too often get lost to the modern Christian. Bonhoeffer writes that in his days "talkativeness prevails". I can only imagine what he would have to say about "talkativeness" in culture today. Bonhoeffer is promoting a "spiritual stillness" which will lead believers towards more meaningful Christian living. This includes scripture meditation, prayer, and intercession.  When Christians make it a priority to spend silent time alone in God’s Word and purely focus on what the Word will have to say to them directly then the other parts of Christian living will follow more naturally.

This idea of taking time with God is one Bonhoeffer definitely promotes and for good reason. Life can be a busy thing full of commitments, people, work, entertainment, classes, and volunteer positions and so on. But, a priority in the midst of that should be giving God one-on-one time so that His Word can permeate our lives.  When that happens we are strengthened when we are alone and also strengthened in fellowship with others and able to bring others strength.  


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