Do you ever feel like your entire world is screaming at you? And it’s not just loud but invasive?

Over the past ten years, I’ve realized I’m extremely sensitive to sound. I don’t know if I was born this way or if it’s the musical training I’ve received, but it’s not normal. A loud TV in a room is like nails on a chalkboard when someone is trying to talk to me. A car backfiring can send a jolt of lighting through my entire body. I’ve resorted to sleeping with white noise directly in my ears because I’m so sensitive to any little sound in my room.

The constant demands, noise, and frustrations of others can sometimes feel like trying to walk through Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Don’t get me wrong; there are a lot of beautiful sounds in the world that I love. The sound of my daughter singing, birds chirping, and running water is pure bliss. 

When connecting with the Lord, I’ve realized I need to turn the volume down on everything else to hear his voice. (Check out Elijah’s experience in 1 Kings 19:11-13.) It’s almost as if I can’t listen to him clearly unless I consciously try to eliminate some other sounds in my life.

Jesus may have felt the same way, especially during his years of very active ministry. I’ve recently noticed in the gospels how often it mentions Jesus making it a point to go to a deserted place to be alone.

In Matthew chapter 14, after Jesus hears of the death of John the Baptist and feeds the five thousand, it says in verse 23, “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.” 

In Mark chapter 1, verse 35, we read, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”

And I especially appreciate that Luke draws our attention to Jesus’ growing popularity and his need to be alone to pray. In Luke chapter 5, we read, “But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” 

My conclusion is this; if Jesus, the very Son of God, needed to be alone to pray, how much more do I need this as well? The need is evident for most of us, but the discipline of actually doing it is much more difficult. 

I’ll admit I’ve battled with how to incorporate prayer and solitude in my life for as long as I’ve walked with the Lord. I’ve had seasons of fruit and seasons of drought. But one thing that has become increasingly evident over the years is that if I want to be alone with the Lord, I must sacrifice something to have it.

I may need to sacrifice sleep

I may need to sacrifice my desire for a spotless house

I may need to sacrifice watching my favorite show

I may even need to sacrifice time with people I love

And there is a balance to all of this. Jesus never neglected his ministry, and he never deserted his followers. However, he was willing to sacrifice his comfort to ensure he had time with the Father. 

My favorite method of finding solitude is to take a walk. Movement helps settle my mind, and something about being outside alone naturally tends to draw my attention away from the world and toward the Lord. 

If you desire to grow closer to the Lord, know it will take time. It does not happen overnight. Similar to developing close friends. It doesn’t happen over one cup of coffee but over a lifetime of shared conversations and experiences. God desires the same devotion. He wants to spend a lifetime in conversation with you so that you can grow closer to Him. 

I hope you find solitude and quiet, and when you do, may it draw your heart closer to Him.