We live each day in the midst of activity and others, challenged to engage and interact in the context of community. To feel that one is alone in the midst of a crowd, separated from interaction, by-passed from meaningful participation or engagement, is disorienting. It becomes apparent that something different is occurring. It is possible to be alone, isolated from the crowd, yet right where God wants you to be.
Isolation often means there is an inability to know and feel God’s presence. What has been used to draw one closer to God no longer works. The familiar has become unfamiliar, and God’s voice is often unable to be distinguished. It is very much a time of alone, a desert-like experience, a dark-night spiritual condition.
Isolation Processing occurs periodically and for specific purposes in the shaping of Christ-followers and leaders. Times of isolation allow for evaluation, re-assessment, deeper healing and cleansing, and greater surrender to Christ. It occurs in the lives of all Christ-followers, but specifically plays a particular role in the life leaders. During the isolation, direction purpose is clarified, values are deepen, and new insights comes to those called upon to lead others.
Isolation Processing digs deeper wells, bringing new water and life to a Christ-follower often driving an individual back to basics: Who we are? What’s important? How God is act work? And our deeper need for him. The healing from past wounds. Its purposes often seeks to re-affirm that which really matters— revealing issues of ambition and drivenness and seeking to bring new light to old “problems.”
The vast majority of us will experience significant times of isolation during our apprenticeship journey with Christ. Isolation occured in the life of Christ as he dwelt in the wilderness and began his ministry. It happened to Paul in the early days of his new life in Christ. it happened to Moses as he watched sheep on a back hill. It happened to Joseph as he sat in a prison. it will happen to you. Isolation surfaces the need to see life differently and encounter the shifting to one’s paradigm.
Isolation Processing also is used (at times) to launch a time of transition. The entry phase of a transition is often filled with confusion, restlessness, lack of clarity and diminished confidence, taking a leader into Isolation.
There are two types of isolation experiences—involuntary and voluntary. In either case, leaders typically will experience four-workings of God—stripping, wrestling, deepening and releasing, propelling them into the new future.
In her book, Isolation, Shelley Trebesch relates three fruitful ways to respond to a time of Isolation, and spiritual results that can comes from isolation experiences.
1. Inward Transformation—Isolation often begins the process of breaking and stripping a former identity ans the subsequent realization of the new, and even greater identity. Joseph, Moses and Paul are prime examples of this process.
2. Spiritual Transformation—People coming our of isolation experience a renewed spirituality. They know that their faith and God’s faithfulness does not depend on circumstance, but God’s character. The Scripture state over and over again, that God was with Joseph (Gen. 39:2,3,21,23)
3. Ministry Transformation—Isolation often produces greater “voice recognition.” Its results in leaders better trained to listen to, and trust the voice of the Good Shepherd. Consequently, leaders are trained to not chase their own agenda and their motives for serving are refined.
Final Thought… “The one who responds to God in isolation processing is a different person afterwards, living life more maturely and ministering out of being.” (Trebesch, p. viii)
This is quite interesting. Your post was forwarded to me by my coach, Ed Hird. Years ago, when I was doing my M.Ed. my focus of study was transformative learning. As it was a secular study, I never got around to researching the spiritual side of transformative learning or how the experience might be different when God is included, however, I always had spiritual transformation in mind as future research.
You have certainly hit on many aspects of transformative learning.
I plan to read more of your blog as I also did a certificate in coaching.
Hey Bob! Thanks for the reply and the comment. Our focus are very similar. It does appear that the transformation experience and the learning process are key to the transformation of the leader. On the Spiritual side… helping individuals go deeper in their understanding of themselves and God provides a greater transformation in that leader. Love to hear more!
At the center of what initiates the process of transformative learning is a disorienting dilemma due to a situation that does not meet assumptions. With the learner set off balance they then go through stages of critical self-reflection on assumptions leading to a re-orientation. That’s a bit over simplified. I always felt that this might be part of what leads some people to salvation. In terms of a believer, I guess we could all use a jolt at times to lead us closer to God.
Really interesting. A lot of similarities. God uses people, events and circumstances to shape and form our lives. Isolation Processing, and Transition periods are almost exactly what you describe; disorientation, evaluation and time of alignment and surrendering to God’s deeper/greater work, and then new direction (re-orientation). And yes… all of us need a jolt from time to time. If not we will stay stuck!
This explains my life for the past five+ years. Thanks Terry. I’ve heard this from you before but reading it here is a gift. I feel myself pulling out of isolation and now looking back, I know its been a period of preparation for what I’m about to do. And the funny thing about that is my physical circumstances haven’t changed, it’s more internal than outward.
Last line is gold… “funny thing about that is my physical circumstances haven’t changed, it’s more internal than outward.” That’s God using it to take Shelly to a new place. As hard as it is… it’s worth it.
Thanks Terry! I have read it twice and will probably read it several more times. I even shared it with a dear friend tonight. I see myself all over this but especially here: ” In either case, leaders typically will experience four-workings of God — stripping, wrestling, deepening and releasing, propelling them into the new future.” I have felt the stripping away and now wrestling through the hard stuff.
You are welcome Chris… but I also feel the pain of stripping. Hard, but it does promote the challenge of the wrestling and the deepening. It will do the deeper work. Its just not fun. And the prize will be you! Proud of ya Chris for going the journey. Praying for you both!