In the Spiritual Journey, much time is spent being alone, reflecting on the alone, or feeling alone. In order to accomplish a rebirth, it is essential to be enclosed in a temporary cocoon-like environment. This separation and solitude may occur gradually, or quickly, and causes strong feelings of being isolated, alone, uprooted and often helpless, but is the necessary part of the redemptive and restorative process. The early-twentieth-century Scottish Baptist evangelist and teacher, Oswald Chambers, wrote much about solitude, alone, separation:

Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha…saw him no more. (2 Kings 2:11-12) It is not wrong to depend on your “Elijah” for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and your leader, because God does not intend for him to stay. Even the thought of that causes you to say, “I cannot continue without my ‘Elijah’”. Yet God says you must continue.

Alone at Your “Jordan” (2 Kings 2:14). The Jordan River represents the type of separation where you have no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your “Elijah.” You have been to the Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. There is no use in saying that you cannot go—the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your “Jordan” alone.

Alone at Your “Jericho” (2 Kings 2:15). Jericho represents the place where you have seen your “Elijah” do great things. Yet when you come alone to your “Jericho,” you have a strong reluctance to take the initiative and trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you. But if you remain true to what you learned while with your “Elijah,” you will receive a sign, as Elisha did, that God is with you.

Alone at Your “Bethel” (2 Kings 2:23). At your “Bethel” you will find yourself at your wits’ end but at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you come to your wits’ end and feel inclined to panic—don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your “Elijah”—use his mantle and pray (see 2 Kings 2:13-14 ). Make a determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore.

From Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest