In our fast-paced, noisy world, it can be hard to find time to slow down and be still. Yet, when we look at the life of Jesus, we see that silence and solitude were central to His relationship with God. If we want to follow in His footsteps, we must learn to embrace the quiet—to make space for God in the stillness.
The Pursuit of God
At the local church where I serve, we define pursuit as this:
“Pursuit is when a disciple seeks to know Christ personally above all things. They seek Him through personal spiritual practices like Bible reading and prayer. They also seek Him publicly through worship with the body of Christ.”
Simply put, pursuit is about wanting to know Jesus more than anything. And we do this with two approaches:
- Practices of Abstinence – When we step away from distractions to focus on God.
- Practices of Engagement – When we actively seek Him through community, worship, service and mission.
One of the most powerful ways to pursue God is through silence and solitude—something Jesus practiced regularly.
Jesus and the Wilderness
Before Jesus began His public ministry, He withdrew into the wilderness for forty days (Luke 4:1-13). He wasn’t running away from responsibility—He was preparing Himself spiritually. During that time, He faced three temptations from the devil. On the surface, it seems that the evil one just wants Jesus to prove his divinity. In one sense that’s true, however, in a other sense Jesus faces a struggle that runs much deeper and that we all face. Henri Nouwen said the Jesus face three significant challenges:
- The temptation of instant gratification – “Turn these stones to bread.”
- The temptation to be powerful – “I will give you all the kingdoms.”
- The temptation to be spectacular – “Throw yourself down and let the angels catch you.”
Jesus resisted these temptations because He had already filled Himself with something greater—God’s presence.
What if Jesus’ ability to resist temptation wasn’t a coincidence?
What if His time alone with God prepared Him for the trials ahead?
Why Silence and Solitude Matters
Throughout His life, Jesus made time to be alone with the Father:
- After healing many, “Jesus departed and went into a desolate place” (Luke 4:42).
- Before choosing His disciples, “He went out to the mountain to pray” (Luke 6:12).
- Before His arrest, “He withdrew… and prayed” (Luke 22:39-41).
If Jesus, the Son of God, needed silence and solitude, how much more do we?
Solitude as Opportunity
Silence and solitude aren’t about escaping the world—they’re about encountering God.
Henri Nouwen describes true solitude as removing our “scaffolding”—the things we use to distract and protect ourselves. No phones, no meetings, no noise—just us and God. But silence is uncomfortable, isn’t it?
We live in a world that avoids silence at all costs. We keep the TV on, scroll social media, and fill every moment with noise. Why? Because in the silence, we come face-to-face with ourselves—and with God. Yet, it’s in this quiet space that transformation happens.
In The Way of the Heart, Henri Nouwen writes:
“Solitude is the furnace of transformation. Without solitude, we remain victims of our society and continue to be entangled in the illusions of the false self. Jesus Himself entered into this furnace. There He was tempted with the three compulsions of the world: to be relevant (‘turn stones into bread’), to be spectacular (‘throw yourself down’), and to be powerful (‘I will give you all the kingdoms’). There He affirmed God as the only source of His identity. Solitude is the place of great struggle and great encounter—the struggle against the compulsions of the false self and the encounter with the loving God who offers Himself as the substance of the new self.”
This is why Jesus withdrew—again and again. Not to escape, but to be filled.
Silence as Discipline
Pursuing God in silence takes discipline. It will be inconvenient, countercultural, and even awkward at first. But if we keep at it, we’ll find that silence isn’t empty—it’s full of God’s presence.
Jesus didn’t just teach His disciples how to pray—He showed them how to be silent before the Father.
And in that silence, we find:
- Communion – The deep, soul-refreshing connection with God.
- Transformation – The space where God confronts our hearts and renews our minds.
How to Start
If you’re new to the practice of silence and solitude, here’s how to begin:
- Start small. Try 10 minutes of silence each day.
- Find a quiet place. A room, a park, or even your car.
- Be still. Resist the urge to check your phone or fill the silence.
- Pray simply. Say, “Lord, help me be still.”
- Listen. Let God speak in the quiet.
A Word to the Wise
Embrace the Season
Silence and Solitude can be something to avoid or hard won. When you are young you have great potential to steal away with God, unattached from family and responsibilities. However youth also comes with the greatest risk. You can squander the opportunity you have and completely avoid God altogether.
When you marry, embark on a difficult journey, have kids, start a career or whatever it might be, you will find it increasingly difficult to find that silent place where you can be alone.
It’s important that we be honest about the season your’e in, and the capacity you have. Name it, adjust your expectations and be kind to yourself. Remember, time with God isn’t necessarily about quantity, even though all of life is lived before Him- it’s about quality. Quality time with God is the goal. Make whatever you can count.
Be Ruthless, not Reckless
It’s important to remember that while silence and solitude is a worthy pursuit, we should be mindful of the potential for collateral damage. Be ruthless in finding the time and space, not reckless. The pursuit of time with God should not come at the expense of your relationships and responsibilities. So, it’s going to take creativity, flexibility, and discipline.
It Starts with a Choice
When you begin, spending time along in silence before God won’t be thrilling. It might seem like nothing is happening and nobody is speaking. Just you with swirling thoughts filling your head. However, in time, you will notice the difference it makes when you have made the time for God and when you have not. Then, it is a well your return to time and again. Then, it’s not a choice, you need it. It fulfills the deepest desire of our souls – community with God.
Reengage
We don’t always need a reason to spend time with God. Like a friend, it’s worth being with them if you don’t accomplish anything. However, God created you with a purpose and wants to empower you for life with Him. It important, then, that our doing flows from our being with Him. To do that, we need to return from the quiet place and participate in community with others. In the body of Christ, and our neighbourhood.
A Challenge for You
Imagine what your life would look like if you were regularly preoccupied with God—if your thoughts were shaped more by time in His presence than by the noise of the world.
Jesus invites us to come away with Him (Mark 6:31).
Will you accept His invitation?
M
micahemerson.ca 