WEDNESDAY: SILENCE & SOLITUDE
KEY PASSAGE
“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’”
DEVOTIONAL
Are you an extrovert or an introvert? We love to define ourselves by these simple categories, don’t we? As an introvert, you may feel drained after a social interaction. Church on Sunday may be followed by a crash of exhaustion, leading you to seek some quiet time alone to recharge after being around so many people. If you’re an extrovert, being with people recharges you. Leaving church might be difficult because you feel energized around others. Time alone may feel unwanted or even draining.
Whichever side you find yourself on, it is important to recognize that time with God requires both solitude and silence.
In Luke 5:16, we see that Jesus sought “lonely places” to pray. Was He an introvert? No, Jesus - perfect in every way - is beyond such human categorization. Yet, He recognized the necessity for silence and solitude as a way to connect with the Father.
We have access to the same Presence. When we are alone and quiet before God, we allow Him to work in the hidden places of our hearts - places only He can see. Silence allows us to hear His voice and acknowledges our surrender to His will rather than our own (Luke 22:42). Solitude allows us to come into His presence unguarded and fully known.
CHALLENGE
Silence is hard to come by. Most of us would rather do almost anything - scroll on our phones, listen to a podcast, turn on the TV - than sit for a moment in silence. Challenge yourself today to find a quiet place and allow God a space to speak. You will find that God is close.
Solitude may come more easily for you, or you may prefer not to be alone. Either way, remember this: when you find yourself alone, you have an opportunity to connect with the Father. We are never truly alone. Take some time today to seek a quiet place to spend time with God.