Pathways Press.com

Silence is the simple stillness of the individual under the Word of God. We are silent before hearing the Word because our thoughts are already directed to the Word, as a child is quiet when he enters his father’s room. We are silent after hearing the Word because the Word is still speaking and dwelling within us. We are silent at the beginning of the day because God should have the first word, and we are silent before going to sleep because the last word also belongs to God. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

When we practice the discipline of solitude and silence we can begin to experience what it feels like to be near to God.  Begin by finding somewhere to find solitude when reading/hearing scripture or a enjoying a devotional reading.  You might listen to a Bible passage on a walk or while watching a sunrise.  You might have a special chair or desk where you retreat from your busy-ness and spend some time with Jesus. Take just a few moments before you end your devotional time, begin your day or end your day to release control, and contemplate God and the message He has for you. Perhaps awkward at first, we will find that we can increase our intimacy with Christ and begin to celebrate Christ’s fullness and goodness through the spiritual discipline of silence and solitude.