Tabitha Oyewole

I watched an interesting show a few days ago where the lead actor with the gift of visions had to get high on drugs to see God and the visions. I thought it was weird, and that the show was promoting something silly, but then, I remembered a story I heard in my undergrad student fellowship of a Christian man who said God made him sick whenever he wanted to speak with him. Somehow, the man couldn’t focus and hear God until he was bedridden and forced to stay at home. Then it occurred to me that while we don’t need to go through the drastic measures of taking drugs or making ourselves sick, sometimes, we need to sit still to hear God.

Mark 4:39. CSB

He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Finding peace amid all the hustling and bustling happening around us is divine. I wish I could describe that feeling to you. You don’t need to fall sick or have a drug-induced solitary. All you have to do is learn how to tune people out and just focus on the One that matters most.

I always have lots of friends no matter where I am, and typically have at least one friend in my house; and most of the time I come off as mean when I intentionally discharge my social batteries and stay away from friends. I wish I could explain to people that I just want to enjoy the silence and hear God. Sadly, I’m not a fervent Christian who makes the time every day to have a devotion or pray. I have tried to work that out with God several times, and I’m sure he understands his little girl already. But sometimes, I get a strong urge to silence the world and just focus on him.

It’s funny how this silence is not just required when I want to talk to God but also when I want to be productive. I find myself doing way may work when I am in solitary. In fact, I had to be in solitary to be able to write this story. The world is getting more chaotic by the hour and we could find ourselves lost in it, if we’re not careful.

I also discovered recently that we are never becoming less busy, at least not until retirement age. We are instead, getting busier. In 2021, I was doing three jobs at a time, and I thought that was the busiest I would ever be in my life, but I don’t even have a job at the moment and I think I’m busier than I was then. So, instead of waiting for a less busy time to do the things you want to do or to talk to God, why not make time out of that busy schedule? Take a break from social media, take time off work, take a break from family and friends; silence the world, and focus on God. I’m not saying you should pick a fight with your family and friends. At the end of the day, you still need people. But, know when you need to take a break, and I promise you that your loved ones will understand and give you the space you need.

It is important to note that the devil can get to you in solitary too, so be intentional about blocking all the voices and focusing only on Jesus.

Lamentations 3:28-30. MSG

When life is heavy and hard to take,
    go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions:
    Wait for hope to appear.
Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face.
    The “worst” is never the worst.

I don’t have the money yet, but my dream solitary when I have the money is a beautiful white-painted house on a mountain with a small spring nearby and a room full of books by my favorite Christian authors: Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, and Joyce Meyer. I should also point out that solitary is not always a dark room with no windows as they have in prisons, and it is also not punishment for an offense. Solitary could be your room, your restroom, your kitchen or wherever you choose, I just believe that as Christians, we need to know when to be alone, silence the world, and listen to everything God wants to tell us. Trust me, he has a lot to say when he is given the chance. He also listens well in case the solitary is just for you to rant or vent to him.

The next time life throws you lemons; grab those lemons, enter the silence, and make the best lemonade with Jesus.