Shhhhhh...

7AM, not yet time for every member of the household to be awa-- BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!  A large truck was backing up in our bedroom. Well, not really in, but it sure sounded like it. There is construction going on in our neighborhood, and the sound of it is aggressive.

I'm currently reading Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, by Donald S. Whitney, and of course, on the morning this truck showed up, I was reading about the disciplines of Silence and Solitude. I'd actually considered skipping over this chapter because --well, when it comes to these disciplines, I do not need to be persuaded. I love being alone. I love the quiet. I don't need music. I don't have to speak. In fact, sometimes, leaving my office to simply walk to the kitchen is like jumping into an ice cold bath: no longer safe and insulated, it's BAM! light and expanse and empty chairs to welcome visitors I don't necessarily want... Maybe I'm getting old and surly, like the guy who waits by the window for anyone to set foot on his lawn; but in this season, a season in which we have case workers and agencies in our home regularly, and exhaustive documentation with regard to activities and clothing inventories and medication logs, I'm finding it more important than ever to protect my sacred spaces. I need more quiet than ever. Despite the nearby construction. 

Did you know that Solomon's Temple, as enormous (The Bible describes its highest point as about 20 stories; the inside ceiling was 180 feet long, 90 feet wide, and 50 feet high) and opulent as it was (the choicest stones and wood, cherubim 15 feet high, carvings and gold overlay everywhere!), during its construction, there was not to be any noise of a "hammer or chisel or any iron tool." This was sacred space. A construction site? Yep. 

The practices of Silence and Solitude take place within our hearts. They are momentary opportunities to rest, or appreciate the symphony of God's creation, or feel the stillness of life in our bodies, or listen for the voice of God, or allow your heart to worship while your voice remains silent, or simply be. We learn to train our thoughts on God and control our need to speak. Whitney, the author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life says:

When you practice silence and solitude you find that you don't need to say many of the things you think you need to say. In silence we learn to rely more on God's control in situations where we would normally feel compelled to speak or speak too much. We find out that He is able to manage situations in which we once thought our input was indispensable.

As we practice Silence and Solitude often, we become more adept at being still, even in chaos, even in cacophony. Peace and control remain with us even as we leave our sacred space and return to our work. 

Initially, finding a suitable place might prove difficult, but it's worthwhile to be diligent, to seek God's creativity in establishing a sacred space. The mother of John and Charles Wesley was known to pull her apron up over her head, signifying to her children she was in her sacred space and not to be disturbed. When caring for my mother who became uneasy when I left her sight, I'd open my laptop at the kitchen table where she was sitting; it allowed her to see me yet still created a psychological "privacy wall" for me to retreat behind in order to pray and be still. Movement may be a part of Silence and Solitude: taking a walk or taking a drive on a long road, stretching. 

We're not looking to create anything but intimacy with God. We're not closing ourselves off from others or breaking off relationships. On the contrary, taking time to be alone with our Savior, to be silent before Him, can improve our labors and the way we relate to others. Our body and spirit receive much needed rest, allowing us to face life refreshed. Our thoughts become more centralized, fixated on our Master, less our own thoughts. We are able to communicate and encourage others more effectively; we can prioritize and plan more efficiently.

So, whatever is taking place in your environment today, take that time to be alone with God and silent before Him. I guarantee you will find the time to be constructive. *groan*