Silence And Solitude
Devoted followers of the Lord have practiced silence and solitude throughout the ages as a means of deliberately making space in their busy schedules to listen and hear the voice of God. Without silence and solitude we will never be able to fully enter into intimacy with God simply because so many other voices are contending for our attention and commitment.
Though not always the case, the metaphor of a pond can be entertained to describe the importance of stillness in order to pay attention to God. When you throw a stone into a pond, the stone will create ripples that reach to the shore, all way around — but only if the pond is still. When the pond is not still, when the surface of the water is already ruffled and tossed, the splash of the stone will go undetected. But when the pond is quiet and still, the impact of the stone can be seen over the entire surface. Where a storm is present, there is so much commotion already going on that no one will notice a few waves more or less as they will be lost in the frantic motion of the surface. Stillness is always the prerequisite for receptivity.
In our world, we are constantly driven by the compulsion to be busy as many see their value and worth attached to what they do. So to be quiet and to be alone for periods of time seems to be less than productive. And for some completely meaningless, since we are perceived to be doing nothing. However, if we want to hear God’s voice we must move into surrendered intimacy with him. Then we are able to listen and hear the still soft voice of God.
The Example of Jesus
The following scriptures reveal that Jesus practiced silence and solitude as a regular aspect of his life.
Matthew 4:1. We are told that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into a period of fasting and solitude while in the desert. After this particular experience Jesus returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14)
Matthew 14:23. After Jesus ministered to the multitudes he sent them away and he went up to a mountain by himself to pray. Jesus was completely alone. He sent both the crowd and his disciples away so that he could be alone with God.
Mark 1:35. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue and healing people of various diseases. This ministry continued into the night. The next morning while it was still dark he went off to a lonely place to spend time alone in the presence of the Father. If Jesus waited till later in the morning he would never have the time nor the opportunity to be alone in silence and solitude as the demands of people were constant.
It should be obvious as we reflect on these texts that if we want to live more like Jesus, we will need to practice silence and solitude even as he did.
The Place of Silence
The Bible praises the virtue of silence. Proverbs tells us that “where words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the one who restrains his lips is prudent” (Proverbs 10:19). And “even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise” (Proverbs 17:28). In the New Testament, James goes as far as to say “if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 3:2).
The Place of Solitude
The Gospel records tell us Jesus took significant periods of time away from ministry and and from people simply to be alone with God. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus went into the wilderness for a period of 40 days to fast and pray. (Matthew 4:1–11)
Later, he taught his followers to do the very same thing. After ministering to the crowds he had the disciples enter a boat and cross over to the other side of the lake, where they would be alone away from the crowd and their persistent demands. (Matthew 14:13–33). Jesus knew the disciples needed time alone to allow God to renew them so they could continue their ministry empowered and energized by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus also encouraged his followers to be in a place of solitude when they prayed. He said when they were praying, they were to go into a closet to pray to their Father in secret (Matthew 6:1–8).
Henri Nouwen, a renown Dutch writer, theologian, and professor, states: “Solitude is difficult for many people because they don’t know what to do in the solitude. Most of us are used to being very busy and productive, but in solitude we seem to do nothing. For those who have used productivity as the basis for their self-worth, this becomes a drastic if not radical departure from their way of living. But in solitude we are not completely alone, Christ is with us, and we are deepening our relationship with him.”
Christ is with us, and we are deepening our relationship with him.
Below is Day 1 taken from a Silence and Solitude daily devotional.
Day 1: To Hear and Listen to the Voice of God
There are many voices seeking our attention. In silence and solitude, we distance ourselves from some of these voices so we can hear the voice of God.
Elijah stood on Mount Horeb where he heard God speak in a gentle whisper.
11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. 1 Kings 19:11–13
Of course, it is not absolutely necessary to be in silence and solitude to hear the voice of God, otherwise we would never perceive his promptings in daily life. But there seems to be times when we need to be alone without any distractions so that we hear God speak to us.
Exercise:
- Find a place that is quiet and free from distractions. Make this your regular place of ‘sanctuary’
- Sit quietly before the Lord and offer this time to God expressing your desire to be with him. Say nothing, but just sit in silence for five minutes.
- Read 1 Kings 19
- Record any thoughts that you have from this passage
- Listen to hear the ‘sound of a low whisper’ of God
- Write out a prayer that expresses your desires as you identify with Elijah
- Conclude your time by sitting in silence for five minutes and then give thanks to God for his presence in your life.
