Have you ever been in the middle of a crowd? Maybe it was with family, or maybe at a party, at church, or in a crowd downtown. Despite being in the middle of all the people and noise, you felt all alone. This is so a part of our lives, our culture. All kinds of noises are vying for our attention. In the midst of it, we miss God. And then finally, it makes sense, when the noise fades, meeting God in the quiet.
Going Full Speed
One day last week, I was running hard. Working on my business coaching, drive-sharing, checking in with Carmen and working with her on the Mariposa Wedding Venue, working on my blog post, and more.
And somewhere in the blur, I realized I hadn’t talked with God all day. Oh, I started my day out focused on Him. But as the day took off, I’d only sent up a few quick prayers. During the day, I had even talked to others about God. I’d even typed out a Scripture verse for a post. But I hadn’t sat. I hadn’t listened. I hadn’t just been with Him.
That realization hit me harder than I expected. It wasn’t guilt. It was hunger.
The Quiet That Heals
We live in a world where silence is rare and solitude even rarer. Noise is constant—notifications, responsibilities, updates, demands. Even when we know it, we are so programmed that it’s like we can’t help ourselves, so we just keep going without slowing down.
But our souls weren’t designed to thrive in noise.
Solitude is different from isolation. It’s not an escape. It’s an intentional presence with yourself and with God. It’s the sacred space where all the striving fades, and God doesn’t have to compete with the world’s volume.
The Whisper of God
The Bible tells us that even Jesus, God in flesh, knew He needed time with His Father.
Luke 5:16 NIV
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
And when Elijah was overwhelmed and afraid, God didn’t meet him in all the noise, but in the quiet so he could hear God’s gentle whisper.
1 Kings 19:12 NIV
After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
God often speaks loudest when the world is quietest.
An Invitation to Step Away
That’s why I am hosting the Strong & Still – Men in Solitude retreat. It’s not a conference. Not a networking event. It’s not about taking notes or talking strategy.
It’s about being still. About giving your soul a break from performance. And simply making space to meet with God.
Whether it’s journaling on the river in a kayak, praying in the early morning light in the courtyard, or just sitting in silence under the trees around the fire pit, this retreat is a reset. Not because we teach something new. But because we finally slow down enough to hear what God’s been saying all along.
A Moment of Solitude Today
The Retreat is over 4 days. You don’t need this to start. Maybe today, you take 5 minutes. Step outside. Breathe deep. Put your phone down. No music. No multitasking. Just stillness.
And listen.
God is there.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Be still, and know that I am God.
The Message version by Peterson says, “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”
The Solitude Retreat
Men
The best thing you can do is to come to a retreat such as this. Need a vacation? Why not take a vacation with only you and God? I bet it will be one of the most memorable vacations you will have ever taken.
You will grow in your walk with God (spiritually), putting you in a much better position personally and professionally, with clarity and purpose.
Investment in your relationship with God. Invest in yourself.
Women
The thing you can do is to send your man off to such a retreat as this. He will come back much more centered and with clarity on who he is and what God wants to do through him. You would be gaining so much by allowing him the time with God that most will never take. Not to mention the space you might need while he is gone.
It’s an investment for you and for him.
It Is Your Spiritual Practice
This is a part of who you are. It’s a part of what you do. It’s a part of following in Jesus’s steps and becoming like Him.
“Well Scott, I just don’t have time. My life is so busy I can’t keep up as it is.”
Let me just say the obvious here. There is nothing…let me start again, there is nothing, nothing that is more important than going to Him in solitude, and coming back centered in who you are with clarity and purpose. Nothing else you are doing is more important than your time with Him. It is a waste of time not to spend time with Him.
Before the weekly challenge below, I challenge you to look at my upcoming Solitude Retreat. You won’t regret coming. You can find more details here – Strong & Still – Men in Solitude.
Challenge of the Week
I am challenging you to connect with Jesus this week like you never have before. You can connect in prayer. You can connect with Sabath. And you can connect through Community. But I challenge you to connect with Him one-on-one in solitude. Start with 5 minutes if this is new to you. I promise, there is NOTHING more valuable than time with Him. So be it.
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