Not only did Christ provide the example, but He also taught His apostles the value of solitude. When they were in great distress following the death of John the Baptist, He said to them “…Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31).
The gentleness of Jesus Christ and the effectiveness of His speech serve as models for us today. Although there were a few cases where Jesus spoke loudly, it was only done in unusual situations and in a very controlled atmosphere. He rarely wasted words and taught us to do the same. In teaching His followers to pray He said “But when ye pray, use not vain repetition, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Mt. 6:7).
Time alone with God is valuable time. We need to shut out the interference and distractions of the world so we can concentrate on our prayers. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Mt. 6:6). The distractions of the world can be so disruptive that if they are not eliminated, our minds can be drawn away from God and our prayers seem so ineffective.
Happiness, peace and contentment are available to the children of God. We can achieve these goals by separating ourselves from the world and drawing closer to God. Separation from the world requires a conscious effort. It will not happen if we do not make it a high priority in our lives. Often our work and other activities can result in much contact and too much involvement with the world. This gives Satan ample opportunity to deceive us. By setting aside some time each day to be alone in the quietness of God’s presence and by consciously separating ourselves from the confusion of the world, we can “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). Light from the Word
