In my discipleship class at Southeastern Seminary, I require students each semester to complete a 1-2 hour silence and solitude retreat. I allow them to take their Bible, but no electronics, no music, no noise. They often debate the value of the assignment when I announce it, but they’re grateful when they’ve completed it. Here’s why setting aside this time matters:
- Most of us are too busy in general. We do so much and move so rapidly that it almost feels like God has to catch up with us to communicate with us. We need to slow down, even if only for a couple of hours.
- We need to counter the belief that ministry productivity=activity. We often think that effective ministry means doing a lot. The people we lead typically think the same way, and they hold us accountable to this standard. Jesus, though, built into His ministry intentional times to get alone with the Father (Mark 1:35).
- We need to learn to listen. We’re accustomed to hearing a lot of noise at once, but we’re often not so good at focused listening. A time of solitude and silence can push us to listen intensely to God.
- Some of us talk too much. This reason, of course, is connected to #3 above. As church leaders, we tend to be “fixers.” We want to help people, so we’re continually providing guidance and offering solutions. We give advice—and it would do us good to be quiet once in a while.
- Many of us need to get “caught up” in our quiet time. Setting aside some hours to focus on God helps us to get there—and then offers us a new beginning in the task. You’ll lead better if you know you’ve been with God.
- We’ll learn how connected we are to technology. Many of us struggle with this kind of retreat because we’ve seldom (if ever) spent an hour or two without our phone—at least not intentionally.
- We might discover some idols. Where our mind goes during extended periods of silence and solitude can be telling. Perhaps it goes to our work, or our favorite sports team, or our gym, or a person, or future plans—all that can be idols if they hinder us from concentrating on God.
- In our silence and solitude, we are humbled. In the silence, nobody’s calling us by our title. We can’t impress anyone with our speaking ability. The size of our congregation doesn’t matter. When it’s just God and I in the quiet, only He matters.
I challenge you—get alone with God this week. Sit still. Be quiet. Listen.
Great article that deals with a very important subject – dedicated solitude to focus on and communicate with God.
Thanks, Pete.
And I thought that 1-2 hours a day was essential to maintain one’s relationship with the Lord! Having been raised on the examples of the saints (David Brainerd, George Mueller, John Wesley, Andrew Murray etc.) who spent hours in prayer each morning I have dedicated the morning hour or two to a Quiet Time for over fifty years. Time flies when you are reflecting on Scripture and reading other devotional material. I am re-reading Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines which is a reminder of the importance of silence and solitude.
Thanks for the testimony, Ted! (and for the reminders of some great names in church history).
Excellent blog as usual Doc!
Had a very long discussion on this topic last night in our deacons meeting. Just introduced a period of silence at the beginning of our worship service to allow members to prepare their hearts to hear from God.
Blessings, Ray.