The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Part three: Practices for unhurrying your life
Silence and solitude (3|3)
Pages 135-142
TOGETHER read the book and then the following scripture slowly and attentively.
INDIVIDUALLY take notes in your journal on what stands out.
Matthew 14:13 (NIV) When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.
Mark 6:30-32 (NIV) “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
Luke 6:12 (NIV) One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
GROUP DISCUSSION:
Silence and Solitude are not a commandment. While it is true that the Bible contains numerous examples of God’s people engaged in silence and solitude, it is wrong to view it as a requirement. However, if we want to follow the example (the way) of Jesus we do have plenty of accounts to see that it was important to Jesus.
Share just one or two things that stood out to you while reading the book and/or scripture. (try to keep it brief)
TOGETHER pray for one another.
INDIVIDUALLY answer the questions in your journal - process your notes and pray.
Henri Nouwen said: “ Without solitude, it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life. We do not take the spiritual life seriously if we do not set aside time to be with God and listen to him”. If you don’t set aside time to be alone with God, your relationship will wither on the vine.
What is your reaction to that statement?
Love is spelled T-I-M-E. If you love God the Father and want a living, thriving relationship with him where you experience his presence all through the day, then you need to carve out time to be alone with him. I say we bring back the quiet time.
To begin, identify a time and place that works well for you. Put it in your calendar and set a reminder. This is an appointment with Jesus.
EXTRA READING:
“There was a monk, who, because of the great number of his temptations, said, ‘I will go away from here.’ As he was putting on his sandals, he saw another man who was also putting on his sandals and this other man said to him, ‘Is it on my account that you are going away? Because I go before you wherever you are going.’”
- Theodora of Alexandria (fifth century martyr)