The Spiritual Disciplines: Silence…

September 4, 2007 | 12:00 AM

When I think of the discipline of silence, I think of monks living in some beautiful monastery on a Greek island. I think of how disappointing it must be to live in such a gorgeous place and feel bound by a vow to remain silent. I couldn’t remain silent in such a place. I probably couldn’t remain silent in most places. There are moments when the awe inside me comes welling up and out, and I’m overcome by the need to express myself to the living Creator God. No other option exists in those moments. I simply cannot hold it in any longer.

But there is a time for silence. Donald Whitney makes several suggestions why we should practice the discipline of silence and solitude (I’ll discuss solitude more next week):

To Hear the Voice of God
To Express Faith in God
To Express Worship to God
To Seek the Salvation of the Lord
To Be Physically and Spiritually Restored
To Regain a Spiritual Perspective
To Seek the Will of God
To Learn Control of the Tongue

I find myself enjoying my time of silence and solitude, and they are often practiced together as is mentioned by Whitney, Richard Foster, and Dallas Willard. Usually I like to spend time in silence alone- it’s hard to sit with others quietly. I’m easily distracted in a group. I think it’s pretty important that we spend time in silence with God. Not only are we fasting from speech, but also from the busyness of our lives- television, music, the Internet. Whitney says that it’s a good time to read, write, and pray. I agree.

Silence isn’t living the rest of our lives without uttering another sound. It’s about knowing when to shut our mouths and listen. It’s about quieting our tongues and opening our ears. It’s about waiting on God to answer us. And maybe there’s some peace to it all. The stillness of our lips. A sanctuary from the noise. A quiet place.

I think I’ll go for a walk.

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