Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
—Luke 5:15-16

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Still and Silent
By Jennifer Kane

It is not loneliness—
loneliness is a hollow room,
a chair waiting for a voice.
Solitude is a sunrise smile,
a warm hand holding mine
when no one else is near.

It is not isolation—
isolation closes shutters,
locks the door,
pulls the curtain tight.
Solitude steps outside barefoot,
feels dew between the toes,
turns its face toward the sky.

It is not mere aloneness—
aloneness hums with chores,
with the chatter of half‑thoughts
and the buzz of the next thing to do.
Solitude listens—
not only for the wind in the grass
but for the Word of God
opened on my lap,
for His truth shaping my heart.

Silence is here—
soft as the pale mist
curling over the grass,
quieting the world without
and the world within
so I can hear His voice in Scripture.

Stillness is here—
like a pond unbroken by a ripple,
like a heart untroubled by the rush.
I rest in it,
and in that resting,
I pray,
I read,
I meet Him in His Word.

~~~~~

Scriptures: Luke 5:15-16

In our noisy world, distraction may be a greater threat to our faith than secularism. Even when alone, we often fill the silence with screens, music, or endless activity. Yet Jesus regularly withdrew to the eremos — the quiet place — to pray.

Solitude isn’t loneliness or isolation; it’s intentional time with God, free from distractions. It has two companions: silence (quieting outer and inner noise) and stillness (resting our hearts in God’s presence).

When we neglect solitude, we drift from God, grow reactive, lose perspective, and become spiritually exhausted. But when we follow Jesus into the quiet place, our souls are restored.

And the quiet place is not just a location — it’s a practice. It might be an early‑morning walk before the world wakes, a chair in the corner of your backyard, or a late‑night pause after everyone else is asleep.

Here, in stillness and silence, we not only pray but also meditate on Scripture — the very words breathed out by God, given through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. To love God is to love His truth. Yet how often do we let trivia, entertainment, or passing fads shape our minds more than His Word?

If we want to know Him, we must make space for Him — in prayer, in silence, and in the steady study of His Word.

Starting today, choose at least one time to turn off all devices, find a quiet spot, and meet God there with an open Bible. Pray, listen, and allow His truth to take root in your heart.

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Father God, teach me to follow You into the quiet place. Quiet my mind, still my heart, and tune my ears to Your voice. Help me love Your Word and treasure Your truth above all else. Thank you for showing us your example Lord Jesus, Amen.

August 4 2025