Solitude: Even in the Quietest Moments (Checklist for Life)

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When Evening came, he was there alone. -Matthew 14:23 NIV

Do you ever wish you could just snap your fingers and be whisked away form the rattle and thunder of a busy day? Have you ever wondered what a moment in life would sound like apart from the chatter, the clatter, and the commotion of friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors? Silence is a precious commodity in a noise marinated world.

It seems that everyone longs for silence and time alone, for peace, and quiet. But silence isn't always so easy to find. At times, it may seem impossible. Even in the cacophony, however you can find solitude. Solitude is taking time away form the push and pull of the day- it's a deliberated time dedicated to your needs.

Even Jesus needed solitude; according to Matthew, immediately after Jesus had fed five thousand people. He sent his disciples across the lake and headed up a mountainside alone; away from the murmur of the crowd. Away even from the familiar voices of his closet friends.

Finding solitude isn't always unproblematic. You may not be able to physically get away from the noise. But you can learn to focus inwardly for a time-to blot out the distractions and enter a time of quiet. The key to doing this well is accepting the fact that you don't need to know everything that is going on around you all of the time.

If you have the freedom to select a regular time for solitude, do it. If you're a morning person, get up extra early and enjoy your time while others in the household are asleep. If you are a late-riser, consider staying up a little longer each day for that time alone. If you can't choose a regular time, learn to seize the moment when it comes. Grab time alone when a lunch meeting is cancelled at the last minute, or when a bus or train is delayed. Rather than stress out about the changed to your schedule, enjoy your extra God-supplied moments for time alone with Him. Be deliberate about taking time to be alone with God.

When you're alone with God, listen. Allow the silence to be God's time for speaking to you. Perhaps the quiet itself will be God's message to you. Maybe God will nudge you toward change. Or perhaps you will simply be comforted to know God loves you. Expect to meet God when you are alone, and He will be there