I like to be busy. I like a plan, an activity, a social outing and a full calendar. I have been called the activities director, both in my personal life and at one time, in my professional life. I like to hear people laughing together, creating memories together and enjoying each others company. So the title of this post frightens me. Recently, I have been reminded of the spiritual discipline of Silence and Solitude. Carrie first wrote on this discipline when OSP devoted an entire month on diving into the disciplines of spiritual maturity. Today, as I take a step back from some of my normal “duties” I am challenged again by her words. I am trying to learn that silence and solitude are good when I use them to spend time with Jesus (not social media, not candy crush, nor the newest episode of New Girl)!
I am reminded that even Jesus Himself had moments of silence and solitude so He could get alone with His Father. I have found that getting alone with Jesus at times may be a hard thing…and that may be the reason why we I avoid it. We prefer the “noise” of life over the voice of God, because the voice of God may ask us to do something that we don’t like. At least this has been true in my life. You see, when I am surrounded by lots of people it is hard for me to get to know just one person on a deeper level, because my attention is divided. But, when I am spending one on one time with a friend, I am able to get to know that person more. Ask more specific questions, devote my attention to just that person. I feel like this is how it is with our relationship with God. Community groups are good ( biblical even) , attending church is good (again biblical) , but it’s in the quiet and solitude of our personal time with Jesus that we are able to ask God the hard questions, listen to His response and watch Him work through strongholds in our lives and reveal his love, compassion and character to us more. We are able to grow our relationship with Him as we witness Him answer prayers and speak to us. Being a Christian is a constant sanctification process( a truth I am learning daily)–one that is messy and hard at times but rewarding in the end! For me personally, I need silence and solitude in order to shape me into the woman He wants me to be. Although, it isn’t something that comes natural to me, it is something that I have to make a priority, no matter the difficulty. I am able to take the truths that I learned in church and small group and ask my Father, “How does this apply to me?”, “What are you asking me to do now?” It is in these moments that I am able to block out the “noise” of my day and get to know my Heavenly Father on a deeper level…and truly get to know myself better as well. (For who knows me better and can reveal more about me than my Creator!)
I encourage you to review the spiritual disciplines again and see which one you may need to improve on or begin trying. You won’t regret it!
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)
