Earlier last year I got an I-pod. That’s right, an I-pod. I know I’m probably a little bit behind in technology. But in my defense, I never thought I really needed one. Oh, was I ever wrong! Needless to say I have become extremely attached to this small piece of electronics. Those who see me on a regular basis will always find me with the headphones in my ears listening to music or podcasts or whatever I could load onto this thing. At the office, I will work at my desk with the device in my ears. I’ll walk from here to there listening to the latest tunes. I will make phone calls with a headphone in one ear and the telephone in the other. That may be a bit much, but I can multitask. I will pray and read my bible with my the headphones in my ears.
At home I’ll do almost everything while some sort of sound is echoing through my brain. Everything from reading, to cooking, to cleaning, to walking the dog, to taking out the trash became subject to my need to have music or messages coursing through my veins. I will even go to sleep with the headphones in my ears. Now, I know what you are thinking. No, that is not extreme! At least, not yet. I was unable to listen to it while I was in the shower, so guess what I got for Christmas? You got it. I received a port that I can plug the device into so that I can hear the music in the shower. My family is an enabler.
Then, finally, the worst thing of all, I will even drive my vehicle listening to that I-pod. Yes, I know it’s probably illegal and yes, I will most likely get a ticket one day. But there’s nothing good on the radio and my CD player is broken so, that should be a good reason to drive with headphones in my ears, right? My sister refuses to let me drive her car because, although her CD player works perfectly fine, I still want that I-Pod playing.
So it came as no surprise to me that, as the 21 day fast began I could feel God leading me to times of silence and solitude. Believe me when I say, it was hard! It was like having withdrawals. The silence was agonizingly painful, if that is even possible! The thoughts of my mind began to travel on a four lane highway, BOTH WAYS! Still, I felt God calling me to just sit, be still, and know that He is God. Psalm 46:10 says,
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
God wants all of us. Not just little bits and pieces throughout the day, but all of us, every day, all day. And while we all have certain responsibilities (working hard, taking care of our families, being the good neighbor, responsibly taking care of what he has given us or running errands) responsibilities which God considers just as important as we do, He still calls us to times of silence and solitude. This was an essential part of Jesus’ ministry.
At home I’ll do almost everything while some sort of sound is echoing through my brain. Everything from reading, to cooking, to cleaning, to walking the dog, to taking out the trash became subject to my need to have music or messages coursing through my veins. I will even go to sleep with the headphones in my ears. Now, I know what you are thinking. No, that is not extreme! At least, not yet. I was unable to listen to it while I was in the shower, so guess what I got for Christmas? You got it. I received a port that I can plug the device into so that I can hear the music in the shower. My family is an enabler.
Then, finally, the worst thing of all, I will even drive my vehicle listening to that I-pod. Yes, I know it’s probably illegal and yes, I will most likely get a ticket one day. But there’s nothing good on the radio and my CD player is broken so, that should be a good reason to drive with headphones in my ears, right? My sister refuses to let me drive her car because, although her CD player works perfectly fine, I still want that I-Pod playing.
So it came as no surprise to me that, as the 21 day fast began I could feel God leading me to times of silence and solitude. Believe me when I say, it was hard! It was like having withdrawals. The silence was agonizingly painful, if that is even possible! The thoughts of my mind began to travel on a four lane highway, BOTH WAYS! Still, I felt God calling me to just sit, be still, and know that He is God. Psalm 46:10 says,
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
God wants all of us. Not just little bits and pieces throughout the day, but all of us, every day, all day. And while we all have certain responsibilities (working hard, taking care of our families, being the good neighbor, responsibly taking care of what he has given us or running errands) responsibilities which God considers just as important as we do, He still calls us to times of silence and solitude. This was an essential part of Jesus’ ministry.
He would often leave the masses AND his disciples to give uninterrupted focus to the Father. It may seem odd, but in truth, some of the greatest works of Jesus took place after he had taken time to be alone with the Father. After hearing the news of the death of John the Baptist, the bible says he left everyone to be alone and then later fed 5,000 people. Before Jesus walked upon the water during the storm, He was alone on dry land. He brought several of his disciples, alone to the mountain to witness the Transfiguration. And finally, Jesus was alone, in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying to the Father, the night before he was crucified.
Some people truly fear silence and solitude. But as followers of Christ we must embrace these times when God calls us to be alone with Him; to be still (silent) and know that He is God. We must turn off our I-pods, turn off the televisions, computers and even our phones. We must seek him wholeheartedly, because He wants ALL OF YOU, and simply because HE IS GOD! And yes, it is hard at first, very hard! Our minds wander and drift, but with focus, determination and repetition, we can quiet and renew our minds to hear God’s voice, know his will, love on Him, and allow Him to love on us in ways we never thought possible. And remember, it's not about being silent and not saying anything. It's about giving him all of yourself, focused and uninterrupted.
Some people truly fear silence and solitude. But as followers of Christ we must embrace these times when God calls us to be alone with Him; to be still (silent) and know that He is God. We must turn off our I-pods, turn off the televisions, computers and even our phones. We must seek him wholeheartedly, because He wants ALL OF YOU, and simply because HE IS GOD! And yes, it is hard at first, very hard! Our minds wander and drift, but with focus, determination and repetition, we can quiet and renew our minds to hear God’s voice, know his will, love on Him, and allow Him to love on us in ways we never thought possible. And remember, it's not about being silent and not saying anything. It's about giving him all of yourself, focused and uninterrupted.
Be blessed and encouraged in the final days of our fast, and seek solitude and silence in Him!
Marc Sampey
Marc Sampey
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