Author: Pastor Robin Tyner
Have you ever realized how often Jesus spent time by himself? Throughout the Gospels we constantly see Jesus getting away from the crowds to spend time with the Father in a quiet place
Mark writes, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Luke writes, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). If Jesus practiced solitude and silence how much more should we!
So, why is spending time in silence and solitude so worthwhile? Why does Christ not only model this, but also teach it?
In an increasingly loud and stressful world, more people are discovering the benefits of silence and solitude. Quiet pauses throughout the day can connect us with God, ease our minds, and put us in touch with ourselves. Silence isn’t just about the absence of noise it’s about getting yourself to slow down.
When we take the time to be still, it gives us the clarity and strength we need to calmly face challenges and uncertainty. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Isaiah 30:15 ways, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Solitude and silence is an opportunity to focus on your intimacy with Christ. It also helps us to unhook from our daily responsibilities and the people we interact with in order to spend time in God’s presence. In solitude we don’t try to make anything happen, we just bring ourselves to the Lord to be with him.
Jesus calls his disciples (including us) to join him in silence and solitude. “Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” (Mark 6:31-32)
Scripture indicates we need to have silence to be able to listen well to God. For example, take the story of Elijah in I Kings 19. The people of Israel have turned from God and Elijah is full of questions. So, he goes out to the mouth of the cave he’s hiding in and waits for God. Strong winds, earthquakes, and fires pass by, but God is not heard in them.
No, God speaks to Elijah in the whisper that follows.
Friends, if you are struggling to hear from God, or you find yourself distracted by the world, I invite you to take time to prioritize silence and solitude to be with God. Give yourself permission to live out what Jesus practiced and taught.
When you do you will discover the blessings that come when you slow down long enough to hear from God
Photo Credit: Toni Reed, Unsplash
