Hey, do you have a second? Are you busy right now? I assume you probably are, because everybody is busy right now. We all have somewhere to go, something to do, somebody to meet, something to watch. More and more, the world demands that we keep moving. Even if you’re stuck at home or stuck at a desk for hours at a time, something’s probably calling for you—a coworker, a family member, a task, or the endless stream of social media. In the middle of countless demands for our attention, wouldn’t a little silence and solitude be a gift?
Silence and solitude? Spending time by myself, not talking to anyone? Who has time for that?
That’s a fair question. Making time for practices that are at odds with how we do everything takes effort. It takes planning and diligence and a determination to say, “No!” when other opportunities come your way. That’s a lot.
But there’s a good chance, these practices might also be just what you need.
Why Silence and Solitude Are Such Helpful Spiritual Practices
Listen, we could spend this entire post talking about why silence and solitude are beneficial for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Making time for silence and solitude on occasion can help you rest, recharge, and destress. These practices can also act as a springboard for creativity, propelling you to new ideas, new connections, and new hobbies that wouldn’t come to mind while stuck in your normal routine. (Remember when everybody and their mom tried making sourdough bread during the pandemic?)
Yeah, we could talk about all of that. But in this post, we’re going to consider why silence and solitude are helpful spiritual practices. When we make space in our lives to take a break from everything and everyone, this intentionality impacts our relationship with our Father, our pursuit of our calling, and more.
Let’s consider how Jesus put these practices to use.
Silence and Solitude Connect Us With Our Father
During Jesus’ time on earth, He spent a lot of time with people, but He also made space for silence and solitude. All four gospels mention instances in which Jesus left behind the crowds, and even His own disciples, in order to seek refuge by Himself in solitary places.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 NIV
Early in His ministry, Jesus moved at a nonstop pace. In Mark 1 alone, Jesus is baptized, selects His disciples, drives out unclean spirits, and heals many people of diseases in quick succession. He was busy, and He needed a break.
But the point of Jesus retreating to a solitary place wasn’t just to rest and recharge. Getting away from the busyness of everything and everyone gave Jesus the opportunity to spend time with His Father. When Jesus’ disciples eventually tracked Him down—as we see in the verses that follow—He was back on His feet, ready to teach people in the surrounding villages. Jesus’ time alone with His Father reenergized Him and acted as a springboard for the next part of His mission.
When we’re at the end of our rope, weary from life’s demands, it can be difficult to connect with our Father. But we need that connection. We wither without it. Choosing to dedicate time to silence and solitude can help us reach out to God in prayer and find the encouragement we need for the days ahead, just like Jesus did.
Silence and Solitude Help Us Find Direction
After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. John 6:14-15 NIV
In John 6, Jesus encountered a problem—crowds of people who were so enamored with His signs of power that they were ready to make Him king by force. While the fame and power that came with being a king might have been tempting, Jesus knew this course of action wasn’t part of His Father’s plan. So He withdrew from everyone, giving the crowds a chance to cool down, and giving Him space with His Father to choose His next steps.
Sometimes, we can get so used to our routines or the pace at which we’re moving that it’s difficult to see when we’re headed in the wrong direction. Getting away from everything and talking to our Father can provide us with useful perspective that is essential in helping us figure out what God’s calling us to do next.
Silence and Solitude Provide the Rest We Need
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. Mark 6:30-32 NIV
After Jesus’ disciples had followed Him for a period of time, He sent them out to practice what they’d been taught. And they experienced great success! In Mark 6, we’re told that the disciples drove out demons and healed the sick, acting under the authority of Jesus. When they returned to Jesus, they experienced something similar to what Jesus experienced—crowds of people, seeking their attention.
In this moment, Jesus recognized what His disciples needed most was rest. So He invited them to join Him in a quiet place where they could take a break. And we have the same invitation.
God recognizes how vital rest is for all of us. That’s why He modeled rest for us, following the six days of creation, and it’s why Sabbath was included in the Ten Commandments God gave Moses and the nation of Israel. Finding rest in the midst of our daily routines can be hard, but when we set aside space for silence and solitude, away from the noise and demands of everyday life, we’ll find rest in the process.
How to Practice Silence and Solitude
It’s Easy!
Practicing silence and solitude is a walk in the park. You don’t need to bring anything with you—as long as you can spend some time alone in a quiet space, you’re making silence and solitude happen.
But …
Finding a time and a place for silence and solitude is a bigger challenge than the practices themselves. Because we live in a busy world, saying “no” to opportunities that come our way so we can do “nothing” can be a big challenge. Depending on where you are in life right now, you might have a job that takes up a lot of your time or kids constantly vying for your attention, making this kind of purposeful alone time hard to come by.
Spending a half hour every other week in silence and solitude will give you space to connect with your Father.
If you’re not sure how to carve out this kind of time for yourself, don’t feel as if you need to start these practices with a multi-day retreat. Even spending a half hour every other week in silence and solitude will give you space to connect with your Father, help you find direction for living, and bring you rest. The time you spend in these practices can change along with your season of life.
Using Your Time Well
What are you supposed to do when you practice silence and solitude? We’re so used to always doing something, that the thought of doing nothing can seem pretty out there. And rest assured—when you try silence and solitude, it will feel pretty out there, too. There’s a good chance you might go a little stir-crazy, at first. But rest assured—as you let your mind unwind and as you adjust to the new pace, you’ll adapt.
Bring a notebook and pen with you for any thoughts that come to mind during your time away. Read your Bible. Pray. Remain open to things God might be saying to you, or ways He might be working on your heart. Go on a walk in nature and wonder at the awesomeness of God’s creation. Don’t bring any expectations into the time—silence and solitude are all about creating space to hear from God and connect with Him. The more you try these practices, the more you’ll figure out how they work best for you.
Silence and solitude are spiritual practices that can have a major impact on your life for the better. Want to find out more about spiritual practices? Just click the button below.