“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” – 1 Kings 19:11-13

One day Elijah was in the mountains searching for God when a great wind came and split the mountain and rocks fell, but God was not in the wind. Then, a fire came but God was not in the fire, and an earthquake came but God was not in the earthquake. Then a gentle whisper came and it said ‘Elijah, why are you here? We often think God will loudly speak to us using earthquakes, fire, and lightning — especially in Elijah’s case. However, God speaks to us in silence, rest, and solitude. We need pause a moment and rest and not send cards and check emails and call people, we just need to relax. You don’t even need to pray or read your bible, just stop and create a space for God to speak to you. Solitude is a detox and you need it! Solitude removes all the things that stand between you and God. You want to have a relationship with God where you can be with God even when you can’t see, hear, or reach anyone. Most of all, solitude truly prepares us for community.

PRAYER: Thank you, God, for speaking into my life. Please help me slow down and listen more often.

REFLECTION: Do you spend time in solitude? Is it hard to completely unplug?