You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast of sacred and mindful meditations

to help you encounter the divine presence of God all throughout your day.

If you want to have free access to the entire library of 500 meditations, I encourage

you to download the Encountering Peace app where all the meditations are free as they should be.

To describe times of isolation, we often use words like loneliness and solitude

as if they are synonymous. They could not be any more different. Loneliness is an expression of

pain, while solitude can be an expression of joy. When you are lonely, you ache for companionship.

But when you seek solitude, you enjoy being alone. I am an adaptive extrovert,

but I require solitude to recharge and center my soul on God within me.

Do you have times of solitude that you set aside for you to rest in the presence of God?

Well, this meditation from Matthew chapter 6 is a gift of solitude within,

reflecting on your inner voice, the voice of the divine presence from within you.

But to hear it, you need to be in solitude. Even when your world is crowded,

especially when your world is crowded. So whether resting in silence

or already fighting loneliness, begin your meditation by surrendering the next 15 minutes

to rest in the presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit within you.

Allow the weight of your eyes to slowly move now from open and to a soft focus.

To gently closed with little effort, become mindful of your breathing.

Begin to steady yourself within and settle deeper into where you are.

Continue in this time of thoughtful reflection by listening and then responding to this passage from

Zephaniah chapter 3. And as I lead us, responds simply, Lord God, you are in my midst.

May God bless the reading and hearing of his word.

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