Solitude and Silence

In thinking about building up immunity, we are all encouraged and it is socially acceptable in our culture to practice good habits for physical immunity.  Eat well . . . supplement . . . exercise . . . buy organic . . . de-tox . . . etc.

There is a sense of pride around the proverbial water cooler when you can contribute an idea about the latest and best anti-oxident juice or essential oil therapy.  And this is good - - absolutely - - as we are commanded to care for the temple that is our earthly body.  It is our responsibility as outlined in 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. "

What is counter-cultural, though, or "weird" is taking pride in the practices that nurture and build our spiritual immunity.  A couple of these "essentials" as I'm discovering, are solitude and silence.  Who saunters up to a conversation circle and declares, with pride, to colleagues, "I did absolutely nothing last night.  I shut myself off from my family and friends and I sat, in silence, for most of the evening."  Maybe it's just the crowd I currently "hang" with but it seems to me that a status symbol indicating your importance and worth to this world is how BUSY you are - - how STRESSED you are - - how FULL you calendar is - - you get the point.  We are told to "Be still, and know that He is God." (Psalm 46) This is not a practice that is comfortable in our culture - but one worthy of significant attention.

As Paul coached Timothy in this regard, "Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit].  For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.  This saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everybody.  With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] suffer reproach, because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him)."  (1 Timothy 4:7-10)

I will be practicing some silence and solitude this week, resting on the promise that God will meet with me under these conditions . . .

For those like me who are ministered to through music, please listen to Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "Be Still and Know that He is God."