“We live in a world starved for solitude, silence, and privacy, and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” C.S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory”
This statement, originally published in 1949, was taken from one of several articles and messages written and presented by C. S. Lewis, which were published under the title “The Weight of Glory.”
The truth of these words for our world today is stunning and never truer. That this was C. S. Lewis’ observation seventy-seven years ago is astonishing, given the overwhelming number of innovations and technologies that have transformed our world since then.
I think C. S. Lewis and his generation would be simultaneously awestruck and horrified by the radical changes that have occurred in every aspect of our world.
True solitude, silence, and privacy are virtually nonexistent in our world today, unless one takes extreme measures to create such a place and is willing to wear the label of hermit or extreme isolationist.
Technology rules our lives. And in exchange for convenience, instant access to information, constant contact with countless “friends,” and the ability to create an online persona that is more of a portrayal of who you wish to be as opposed to who you actually are, we are willing to forgo privacy, sensible time management, and, in many ways, relinquish personal responsibility, especially in the area of our spiritual life and relationship development.
We leave no space in our lives for solitude, self-reflection, prayer, and meditation. There’s no time for developing deep and devoted friendships. Every unfilled moment is an opportunity to check messages, scroll Facebook, or play a quick online game. We have no sense of urgency for godly self-examination and meditation, so we leave it off our things-to-do-today list.
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. Psalm 62:1 ESV
What an excellent strategy is being played out by the enemies of our soul: self, sin, and Satan. In our desire to be in the know, connected, and pleasantly engaged by all those periphery distractions, we totally miss the subterfuge undermining our spiritual stability, growth, and effectiveness. We happily fall in line with the enemies’ battle plans.
I confess, it’s easy to get caught up in the multitude of technological distractions. To be fair, it’s just as easy to become ensnared in a career or hobby or other innocent preoccupation that consumes your time, attention, energy, and resources to the point of distraction.
Whatever captures our attention to the point of distraction, whether it’s good, bad, or neutral, can become the ultimate thing if we are not paying attention to our God-given priorities. When we pursue anything other than God as our ultimate focus, we’re in serious danger of becoming ensnared. worshippers of a little “g” god.
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 ESV
We’ve sacrificed our opportunities for solitude, meditation, focused prayer, and the development of deep godly relationships on the altar of our god of choice, not the God of the Universe.
Solitude won’t be easy. It will take awareness and intentionality. And it will require Holy Spirit power to strengthen your resolve and ability to carve out time – maybe only minutes at first – out of your day or your week, to sit alone, in silence, to meditate on your relationship with God, to read and think on a Scripture passage, to listen for His voice, and to have a conversation with your Father.
One of my favorite stories is about Susanna Wesley – my apologies to those who’ve heard me tell this before – but it is a great illustration of how to make the best of your situation to prioritize your time with God.
Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) was the mother of John Wesley, a leader and founder of the Methodist movement, and Charles Wesley, a gospel hymn writer, and 15-17 other children (the exact number is unclear); only ten survived past infancy.
Susanna’s house was small, filled with children, and noisy. To make time to pray “privately,” she would sit on a chair in her kitchen, her apron pulled up over her head. The children knew that if their mother’s head was covered, she was talking with God and not to be disturbed.
God honored Susanna’s faithfulness to Him. To this day, her influence shines through the impact her sons, John and Charles, had on the formation of the early Methodist Church and the hymns still sung in churches around the world.
The point is, regardless of your situation, there is always a way to find time to spend with God. I know one woman whose unbelieving husband became irate if he caught her reading her Bible or praying, so her bathroom became her place of solitude and alone time with God. Certainly, it was not ideal, but it allowed her to keep God at the top of her priorities each day.
Jesus gave us the perfect example of seeking solitude for communing with His Father. His days were filled with preaching, teaching, miracles, pressing crowds of people in great need, and disciples who required much guidance and instruction. Alone time didn’t come easily for Jesus, yet He persistently made time to spend with God.
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now, when evening came, He was alone there. Matthew 14:23 NKJV
Whatever your situation, make time for moments of solitude with your Lord and Savior. Don’t allow the multitude of distractions that would love to fill your every waking moment to take control of your life.
Solitude.
Time alone with your God.
He makes time for you.
You make time for Him.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. Psalm 62:5 ESV