Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice, Practice, Practice!

When I was preaching regularly in the church as a pastor, my daughter surprised me with an observation. It stuck.

She said, “Dad, you preachers are always telling us what we need to do. But you hardly ever show us how to do it.” Ouch!

I’ve been telling you about silence and solitude. I should do more: show you how to do them.  My hope is that these grace-filled ways become habits of practicing the presence of Christ.

Here’s 8 of them.

1.     Daily, at home, set aside 10 minutes to be quiet and alone without noise (other than the sounds of nature). When is the best time and where is the best place for you? Set a timer if you’re new to this.

2.     Quietly  meditate on “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he  will give you your heart’s desires.” (Psalm 37:4) Discern the ones he is putting in your heart. Linger, and delight in God. Ask for grace to live out your God-given desires.

3.     Make the first 10 minutes in your car free of man-made noise.

4.     When you return home, linger in your car for a minute or two in silence before entering your house. Pray for those within. If you live alone, pray for a loved one.

5.     At home, leave the TV off for a while. Learn to like your own company and God’s presence. Consider him a more helpful companion than the hosts of Good Morning America!

6.     If you can afford it, go on a retreat to be alone and quiet for a day. If you can’t, eat a few meals in silence weekly. Eat with gratitude in your heart. Light a candle as a symbol of God’s presence.

7.     While doing a task – exercise, cooking, washing the dishes – turn off background noise. Offer the task to God; be present with a listening heart.

8.     Practice not having the last word. In conversations determine not to be the last to speak or prove you are right. It’s one of the hardest things to do: prove you are right and be loving at the same time!

I pray this comment by John, “And there was silence in heaven for about half an hour…” (Rev. 8:1) be true on earth as it is in heaven.

Let it be untrue of us, dear God: “We are so afraid of silence that we chase ourselves from one event or the next in order not to have to spend a moment alone with ourselves in order not to have to look at ourselves in the mirror.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Let it be true that silence and solitude become opportunities for us to abide in Christ, hear his voice, gain freedom from impulsive chatter, small talk, and trying hard to impress people.

Let it be true that, as silence and solitude pervade our souls, we become better listeners, and better abiders in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!