Solitude would best be defined as refraining from interacting with other people to be alone – especially to be alone with G-d. One must assume that Solitude is completed by silence – but I do not believe that this always has to be the case. The obvious way to find solitude would be to find a remote place where one can commune with nature and with G-d. I was listening to a story on the radio the other day, and they were talking to people about the places they go to find solitude. Some go hiking in remote areas or go for walks in the woods. Others go to more extreme conditions like trying to row a boat across the Atlantic Ocean or walk on skis to the North Pole and back.

How do you find solitude in your life?

I can find solitude by simply going to a local coffee shop and taking time to write (though this has been very challenging during the pandemic). I can also sit in my “man cave” or office at home and find solitude. And this to me is solitude – I do not have to answer my phone if I choose not to – I do not have to talk to anyone if I choose not to. For me, solitude does not mean remoteness or complete silence – for me solitude means time alone no matter where that might be. The point of solitude is how you use that time.

We all need to find some solitude in our lives – and to use that time for quiet and reflection. Therefore, we need to do what we can to have time alone with G-d.

Pastor Dave

The gift of silence may be one of the most difficult of the disciplines since we live in such an oral culture. With the advent of social media and the social practices of “Zoom” and other “face-to-face” communications over our devices, we have become accustomed to constantly be communicating, especially orally, with the world.

The discipline of silence, including Not speaking and/or spending time in a quiet place in order to quiet our minds and whole self and attend to G-d’s presence can be a true blessing in this noisy world. Silence in the form of “Not” speaking also allows us to have some silence so that we can listen to others and bless them. Taking on this discipline can be “off-putting” to those we encounter. Most people will not know what to do if you inform them (I suggest a card where you have written an explanation of your discipline) that you have taken a day of “silence”. I think it would benefit all of us to take a day where we listen more and talk less. I do not think any of us understand how much we crave having others listen to our stories, our encounters, and our problems. Wouldn’t it be great to purposely close our own mouths and open our ears to the concerns, the blessings, the needs, and the struggles of the others in our lives?

Of course, I do not think I have to tell you how wonderful it is to be in a quiet place. I remember being in the White Mountains of New Hampshire on a hiking trip and listening to the “deafening” noise of silence. When we are accustomed to the constant whirring of machines and the buzzing of devices, silence becomes foreign to our lives. But silence should be a blessing. It is in the silence of the world where we possibly might be able to engage with the still small voice of G-d speaking to us through the Holy Spirit.

Take some time to immerse yourself in silence this Lent – it may just open you up to a voice you have been craving to hear for some time – the voice of G-d that rings clear in silence.

Pastor Dave