Noise. It’s all around. Louder than life. Drowning out God’s small still voice speaking to us. Let’s be honest, many…okay, most of us are uncomfortable with silence. And solitude, are you kidding me…say what? Noise. We fill most every moment with it…music, speaking, television, earphones, cell phones, iPads…many times, all at once. Noise…we have become co-dependent on it. So silence? Solitude? What’s that? Why?
In our current series ‘IN: A Guide to Spiritual Formation’ we have been discussing various spiritual disciplines – prayer, fasting, bible reading, scripture memorization, worship, silence, solitude and more…all illustrated in scripture…especially the New Testament. that when used and applied, place us figuratively on God’s Divine Pottery Wheel where HE can mold, shape and fashion us into the person HE wants us to be – HIS precious child.
The problem is, many…again, most of us are too busy to stop, be still, silent and in solitude – spend time with God. Really? Why? Can anything else be more important than speaking time with our God? Jesus himself did so. Listen to these words in Mark 1:35 – 37, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus go up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!'” Moments later, they go into town; Jesus preaches and drives out demons.
Now, let’s not miss the significance of what we just read. At the start of the day…Jesus in silence and solitude spends quality time with His Father – Our God. Before the day’s cares, worries, problems, issues, activities, and needs dramatically confront Him – Jesus spends time alone with God. If Jesus needed to, we definitely do! Absolutely! Do I hear any amens out there? Oh yeah! Mother Teresa said, “We all must take time to be silent and to contemplate…I always begin my prayer in silence, for it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks…we need to listen to God because it’s not what we say but what He says to us…that matters.”
So, here’s a homework assignment for all of us. Let’s commit to turning everything off and setting quality time aside each day to be still, silent and in solitude…spend quality time just listening to our God. Friends, when we do…it will…no, rather – God will change our life. Stop, be still; in silence and solitude…listen to our God. He’s speaking. Are we listening?
See you this Sunday at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m as we discuss ‘Silence & Solitude with God!’ See you there. Love ya. – Pastor Doug
P.S. – This week is the last week to pack those Christmas Shoeboxes so don’t forget to bring them back this Sunday.
