Solitude

Teachings

HOW TO PRACTICE SILENCE

The Practice | Jason Feffer

Last night, Jason Feffer shared his deep passion for practicing a rhythm of silence.

I was struck most in Jason’s message, by his thoughts on our ‘inner noise.’ Not only are we battling with the external noise of this life and all that entails, but for so many of us, the inner noise that grows loud as we seek out silence can be the hardest part of this discipline. I so loved his encouragement to keep trying, to realize that silence is a practice and a discipline and that it is only through practicing it and through being disciplined to keep trying it, that we can invite God to speak and calm that inner noise.

Jason then led our tribe into ten whole minutes of silence as a community. I don’t know about you, but ten minutes is not the norm for me! I immediately felt the inner noise of my mind try to snatch my concentration in many directions, yet as time went by, I slowly settled into the rhythm and felt present with God.

What about you? How was that time of silence? Were you discouraged? Did it fly by? Are you excited or nervous to try it again?

No matter how it went for you—let’s keep trying friends. Let’s keep pressing into the invitation to silence. I believe God wants to meet us in that space if only to simply be with us. I believe that this practice can rewire our lives and strip away the noise for our good and for God’s glory.

WHY WE NEED SILENCE

The Practice | Shauna Niequist

Matthew 16:26 begs the question, “Is anything worth more than your soul?”

The answer, of course, is an emphatic no. Shauna beautifully surmised that at the end of the day, despite what the world or even the church may have us believe, we are limited. She eloquently shared that despite what others may expect of her, she is not a firehose of constant work, energy, and endless self-giving. Rather, she is a small and steady steam. Trickling cool and clear into the world to give what only she can give, in the measure that protects her soul, because her soul is also part of the Kingdom God is trying to build.

Friends, have you believed the lie that you are unlimited? That you have to press harder, faster, stronger to live out God’s calling in your life? If the outside of your cup is clean, yet the inside is exhausted and burned out, then we have sorely missed the point. It is God’s heart for you that you would fight the rat race of this age. Fight the urge to burn yourself out to reach just one more goal.

It is here–in this gentle realization that we are profoundly limited—that silence gets to enter in.

It is in practicing a rhythm of silence, that we come face to face with our Maker and finally reduce the noise and societal goading long enough to hear His still small voice. It is through realizing that at any moment you can take a moment of silence, that we begin to unmake the mess we get ourselves into when we wreck ourselves in the name of success and productivity. Silence is a gift. A profound gift, that unravels and reveals us in the presence of God.

May Shauna’s cautionary tale convict and encourage you into a rhythm of silence. May you realize in your heart of hearts that you too are part of God’s Kingdom, and caring for yourself is as important to God as the list of demands for your time and service.

INVITATION TO STILLNESS (PART 1)

The Practice | Father Michael Sparough

Sunday night, we began a five-week journey of stillness and response. There is a temptation with the journey of formation to focus inward and remain there, but a wholistic experience of spiritual formation will always include an outward expression. Our formation is stunted if it does not result in us joining God’s redemptive work in the world. Jesus invites us to join this kingdom work, but he does not invite us to a life of constant activity and burnout.

How might we be present to God’s invitation to join the work of the kingdom and remain present as we join God’s work? This week, Father Michael Sparough shared the importance of both contemplation and activity, and he guided us in an outward Examen to help us cultivate a spirit of stillness as we discern and respond.