GRAY HAIRS and GLORY

“Honoring the Past, Guiding the Present, Inspiring the Future—in Christ.” From A Chaplain's Heart.

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Quiet Time: Finding God in Stillness



When was the last time you sat in silence—
not scrolling, not planning, not rushing—
just sitting with God?

In our fast-paced world, solitude often feels elusive. But it’s in those quiet moments that we rediscover the presence that never left us. This is a gentle invitation to rest, reflect, and reconnect with God.

Story

One day, I had the joy of sharing a devotional with a group of seniors. The room was becoming quiet. Some had been waiting all morning for this moment—a sacred pause in their day..

As I opened with Scripture and began reflecting on God’s nearness, something beautiful unfolded. They leaned in—not just physically, but spiritually. Their eyes softened. Their posture changed. It was as if the Word itself was reaching into places long untouched. Some whispered “Amen”, not out of habit, but from their hearts.

One woman, gently holding her walker, looked up with a quiet intensity. She rarely speaks, but that morning, she did. Her voice was barely audible, yet it carried weight:

“I miss Him. I miss my quiet time with God.”

I paused, letting the silence settle. It wasn’t awkward. It was reverent.

Many have walked with God for decades. They’ve known the joy of morning devotions. Now, in the slower rhythm of their days, they crave the presence of God not out of obligation, but out of love. It’s not about checking a spiritual box—it’s about communion.  About resting in the One who has walked with them through every season.

And in that room, with Scripture open and hearts tender, I saw solitude come alive—not as isolation, but as invitation. A shared longing. A glimpse of eternity.

Scripture


“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10, ESV

Some interpret this verse as a directive rather than a suggestion.

Reflection

Solitude requires resolve. It’s a spiritual discipline that opens the door to divine companionship. As Charles H. Spurgeon once said:

“I commend solitude to any of you who are seeking salvation, first, that you may study well your case as in the sight of God. Few men truly know themselves as they really are. Most people have seen themselves in a looking-glass, but there is another looking-glass, which gives true reflections, into which few men look. To study one’s own self in the light of God’s Word, and carefully to go over one’s condition, examining both the inward and the outward sins, and using all the tests which are given us in the Scriptures, would be a very healthy exercise; but how very few care to go through it!”[1]

In solitude, we gain:

  • Clarity of heart — we see our lives more honestly in the mirror of God’s Word.
  • Strength of spirit — silence makes space for the Spirit’s gentle voice.
  • Renewed compassion — by being with God, we return to others with deeper love.
  • Peace of mind — the noise of the world fades, and God’s presence steadies us.

Jesus’ Example of Solitude


Jesus Himself modeled the rhythm of stepping away to be with the Father. His ministry was filled with crowds, needs, and interruptions—yet He guarded His moments of quiet.

  • Before important decisions — “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12, ESV)

Jesus prepared for choosing the twelve disciples by seeking His Father’s wisdom in solitude.

  • In times of weariness — “And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” (Mark 6:46, ESV)

After pouring Himself out in ministry, Jesus retreated to be replenished by His Father.

  • In grief — “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.” (Matthew 14:13, ESV)

When He learned of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus sought solitude to process His sorrow in the Father’s presence.

  • Before the Cross — “Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’” (Matthew 26:36, ESV)

In His greatest hour of anguish, Jesus turned to solitude and prayer.

Jesus didn’t see solitude as wasted time. It was essential—shaping, strengthening, and sustaining Him for the mission ahead.

Further Reflection

In many ways, the longing of our seniors mirrors the example of Jesus. They know that time with God is not optional—it is essential. Their words often echo the psalmist:

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” — Psalm 63:1, ESV

  • Hunger for peace — Some speak of solitude as their only moment of true calm.
  • Thirst for nearness — Like the woman who whispered, “I miss Him. I miss my quiet time with God,” our spirits long for God’s presence.
  • Hunger for meaning — In later years, solitude becomes a space to reflect on life’s journey in the light of God’s faithfulness.
  • Thirst for eternity — Our yearning is not just for today’s comfort, but for the everlasting communion with God to come.

Just as Jesus withdrew to be with His Father, our seniors remind us that solitude is not weakness, but strength. It is the soul’s deep hunger finally being satisfied in God’s presence.

Scheduling Time With God

Whether it’s five minutes in the morning or a walk at sunset, these moments matter.

Here are a few gentle practices:

  • Morning stillness — begin the day without your phone, only with Scripture or prayer.
  • Silent walks — let creation become the backdrop of your conversation with God.
  • Pausing in the evening — end the day not with news, but with thanksgiving.

Let us welcome those quiet times and let them lead us to God.

Prayer


Lord, teach us to be still. Help us carve out time for solitude—not as escape, but as an encounter. May we, like those seniors, hunger and thirst for Your presence, finding our true rest in You. And may we follow the example of Jesus, who withdrew to be with His Father, so that we too may be strengthened, comforted, and renewed. Amen.

Suggested Hymns & Songs:

Sources
  • Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV).
  • C. H. Spurgeon, “Solitude, Silence, Submission,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 42 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896), 266. [1]