Solitude... or “Focused Silence”

Taking time to be still, making time to practice solitude is foreign to my nature, even though I love the idea of it.  In fact, several years ago, I created something called “Morning of Serenity” . . . an event I periodically held at local beaches that helped folks create sacred space in which to sit under God’s vast skies, listening to the crash of the waves, whilst focused on the Creator--communing with him, through prayer, meditation, and listening.   Funny thing, this last weekend, I was out of town by myself and had some time to spend leisurely with God . . . Honestly, I really had to stop and think about it, ‘multi-tasker’ that I am, (once quiet--what would I do?).  Silly me--I had just written about the topic, so I got out my i-pad and followed what I had written.  (true story, as ridiculous as it sounds!)  Once settled, my time with God was rich.  It centered and grounded me in a way that only a focused silence can accomplish. 

Today, I invite you on a voyage to the deeper part of yourself that your Creator longs to develop … you will only encounter it in silence.  Hmmm, most modern people lack silence, and just don’t realize their need for it.

Indeed, since reading Paul's dictum not to be conformed to this world, but rather to be TRANSFORMED ... I pray you're on the road to renewing your mind.  You have begun

1) immersing yourself in Scripture

2) you are considering becoming part of an authentic community, where you can be known, grown, and spiritually fed; and realizing that your soul is craving it,  

3) you have created a little space in your schedule for solitude.  This may have meant cutting something out of your much-too-full day, or setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier, but it is worth it!  I mean, really, if Jesus needed to withdraw from people, and seek a quiet place to be with his Father, don't you and I?  To be sure!  You have purposed to heed God's directive: BE STILL, and KNOW THAT I AM GOD … Now what?

Invite God to meet with you in your solitude.  Makes me think of a favorite old song, Meet with Me.  "I'm here to meet with you --won't You meet with me?  I'm here to find you, reveal Yourself to me.  As I wait, you make me strong; as I long, draw me to your arms...as I stand and sing your praise, you come and fill this place." http://www.YouTube.com/watch=FMb3xBsGiZU   God delights to meet his children and turn a quiet place into a sacred space.

Turn your heart heavenward for a time of MEDITATION.  Now I am not talking about an eastern form of meditation where you work toward removing everything from your consciousness, but rather choosing to move your gaze, your thoughts toward God.  Set your mind on things above, Paul wrote.  Focus on one verse, and let it go down deep into your being.  (Meditation on the Word is different than study--the goal is not to exegete it, or take it apart, but rather to pour over it ... Worship.  Pray it back to God.  Take time with it.  For instance, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive honor, glory, and power..."  You created, you create... You are great, and greatly to be praised!  

Another song, perhaps?  A familiar old hymn-- "O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works thy hands has made...I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder.... Thy power throughout the universe displayed!  Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee...'how great thou art, how great thou art...' Http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk&feature=email

'Want to tarry there—transported, as you just think of God?  Here is another:  http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

Offer your heart to God in prayer...it seems that in prayer, everything takes its proper place.   Praise God, confess your sins, talk to him about your life, ask him to meet your needs and those of others, and then, thank him for your blessings.

Ask God to speak to you.  LISTEN.  "Speak, Lord, your child is here," the boy Samuel said to God, and then he was quiet... he listened.

I talk too much . . . I use too many words, even when I am praying.  C.S. Lewis posed an interesting question:  "Do you suppose our prayers sometimes go wrong because we insist on trying to talk to God, when HE wants to talk with us?" In the quiet, God doesn't want us to do anything; no, he wants to give us something.  God gives where he finds empty hands, St. Augustine said.  And might I add, hands that are open, and ready to receive.   If you keep silent before God and give him time, he will leave within you impressions that will be as the rays of his glory shining in you.**    O, but that is so sweet.

Once creating solitude, these suggested ways of focusing my heart and mind toward God, grow my knowledge of him; and besides, as a human being, I feel at peace with myself as well.  Solitude . . . yes, a quiet peace . . . in which God has met me, in my silence.

Christine

podcast:

**Andrew Murray, who has written much, and with such wise eloquence, on the subject of prayer