This is Felicia Ferguson with Christian Mix 106, helping you build faith for the journey.
The spiritual discipline of solitude is state of the heart and mind. It is the exact opposite of loneliness. In this case, one isn’t the loneliest number. Solitude may be inward and outward. The outward is obvious, when we leave the crowds and go away to a quiet place. In solitude, when we’ve eliminated the hubbub and the distractions, we can better hear the voice of God The inward solitude, is being quietly fulfilled no matter if we are alone or in a crowd. Silence often accompanies solitude. But that silence doesn’t always mean no noise at all. Richard Foster means silencing our own tongues.
The discipline of silence teaches us not to run our mouths, but to only say what needs to be said. We control our tongues. They do not control us. The tongue a spiritual thermometer and thermostat. It both tells and regulates our spiritual temperatures. Are you quick to pop off a retort? Are you slow to display your anger? One of the results of choosing to walk in solitude and silence, is that we allow room for God to be our defender.
You should be aware that the discipline of solitude can lead you through a dark night of the soul, where everything you’ve believed can be stripped away and truth, real, godly truth, can take its place. When we aren’t distracted by other people’s drama, the news of the day, or even our own lives, we can face the reality that we are spiritually depleted or even bankrupt. But the wonderful news is that God will meet us there in the solitude. In that dark night and lead us into his light.
As we continue to practice the spiritual discipline of solitude and silence, we’ll discover their fruit. We’ll be more sensitive and compassionate to others, where we can truly love them as God loves them. We’ll also crave not worldly things, but more of God, which is the mark of a true disciple.
This is Felicia Ferguson. Thanks for listening to Christian Mix 106.
