Solitude is a gift.
Discipline is required in solitude. It is learned discipline. Our environment offers any number of noisy options to keep us constantly entertained. We have forgotten how to be quiet. When I first began to give myself to the discipline of solitude, I despaired of ever being able to quiet my mind. I would turn the radio or TV off and sit for a while. My mind would wander all over the place. I was repeatedly discouraged, wanting to quit, reasoning that this was simply not the way for me to fellowship with God. But I didn't give up. I kept trying. After a while I began to relax into being alone with God. I left all my lists and requests behind. This was time for quiet, not for petition.
My times of silence before God are very important to me now. I put everything else down, every word away and I am with the Lord. When I'm quiet, life falls into perspective for me. I have a very active mind and I'm a worrier, but in those moments when I choose to put that away, I rest beside the Shepherd in still places.
Why don't you give yourself a gift today? Turn off the television or the car stereo, put down the newspaper or the business plan, and in the quietness, rest for a while beside the Shepherd of your soul.
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