Silence And Solitude
Modern life resists silence and solitude through busyness, distraction, competition, and the pressure to build a life around achievement.
“They live with a sense that there is adequate time to do what needs to be done each day.”—Robert Banks
“…a lot of competition and a lot of emphasis on individual achievement—[i.e.] doing reasonably well in school, getting into the right college, landing the right job, moving toward success and status. This competitive pressure means that we all have to spend more time, energy, and attention on the external…. The self is less likely to be seen as the seat of the soul, or as the repository of some transcendent spirit. Instead, the self is a vessel of human capital. It is a series of talents to be cultivated efficiently and prudently. The self is defined by its tasks and accomplishments. The self is about talent, not character.”—David Brooks
The Gospel Of Self-Trust
A culture of self-sufficiency trains us to depend on performance and approval instead of cultivating an inner life with God.
“Not only am I able to do incredible things, but I also have a responsibility to be exceptional.”—David Brooks
“approval-seeking machines, [that] measure their lives by external praise.”—David Brooks
Jesus’ Rhythm Of Retreat
Jesus regularly withdrew to quiet places, showing that solitude was not optional but essential to sustaining His life and ministry.
“And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes. ‘Wherever you go,’ he said, ‘stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.’
So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.”—Mark 6:7–13, 30–32
Success Cannot Sustain The Soul
Jesus leads His disciples away from outward accomplishment to rest in God, teaching that achievement is not enough to sustain spiritual health.
“Jesus seems to have little time for their ministry reports. He is concerned about the bigger issue of how they will sustain their spiritual life rather than being distracted by outward successes. Without wasting any time at all, he invites them to experience solitude as a place of rest in God.”—Ruth Haley Barton
“But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”—Mark 6:33–34
What Happens In Solitude
In silence and solitude, God meets His people, reveals what is true beneath the surface, and renews them for what comes next.
“Silence helps us drop beneath the superficiality of our mental constructs to that place of the heart that is deeper in its reality than anything the mind can capture or express in words. In this wordless place the whole of our person turns itself toward God and waits to be addressed by God.”—Ruth Haley Barton
An Honest Heart Before God
Silence and solitude are not automatic formulas for transformation, but spaces where humility and honesty make renewal possible.
“What are you doing here, Elijah?”—1 Kings 19:9
The Discipline Of Slowness
Choosing slower, more attentive rhythms in ordinary life can prepare our hearts to hear from God.
Resources:
Practicing The Way’s Solitude Practice
Invitation to Silence & Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton
Small Practices That Form Us
Brief moments of quiet in everyday routines can become “micro-disciplines” that strengthen our capacity for deeper solitude with God.
Turn ordinary routines into brief moments of silence, prayer, or reflection.
Set aside intentional time to be alone with God in a quiet place.
Begin with a few minutes of silence and use a simple prayer phrase to refocus.
End your time with gratitude, not self-evaluation.
As the desire grows, plan for longer times of retreat and rest with God.
