Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avisandum. Do you spend much time alone?
I'm not talking about being lonely, but rather making a conscious decision to spend time alone. We live in a very noisy world where it's almost impossible to get away from the noise of traffic. people talking, music blaring and so on. It used to be that when you went to a gas station you could pump the gas in silence, no longer. Almost invariably there is now loud music.
I discovered that one of the buttons on the screen does mute the programme. Also, not only is their music blaring in the music. Inside stores for Frequently there are speakers outside the stores.
So you can no longer evade the constant noise. We've all had the experience of being in a restaurant where we looked forward to enjoying a meal with friends, only to find that the music is so overpowering you almost have to shout. at the table to be heard. When you politely ask the staff to turn down the music, you sense that you now are seen as a complainer rather than a customer, wanting to enjoy a meal without being forced to listen to some terrible music. All of this noise is a relatively new dimension of our lives.
Our forefathers, who usually lived in the countryside, did not have to hear this constant blaring music.
Now, I love music, but I don't want to hear it all the time. I realize some people can block the noise from their system. They enjoy going to a cafe to work online. In addition to the noise of the people speaking there, invariably there is music. When I study I prefer peace and quiet.
I may sometimes listen to some soft music, but I enjoy the silence. As human beings, God made us to commune with Him in times of silence from time to time. At present, I'm preaching through the book of Luke, and it's very instructive that Jesus withdraws to desolate places to pray. That's chapter 5, verse 16. Matthew records that after the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000, he dismissed the crowds and then went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
That's Matthew chapter fourteen, verse twenty three. Jesus was not with the disciples all the time, and certainly not always with the crowds. He valued these times of silence, of praying to his Father and His God. Do you have times of quiet? Do you value solitude?
I teach my grandchildren to listen to the sound of nature. The sound of birds singing, the sound of trees moving in the wind, the sound of thunder, the beautiful sound of waves dashing against the rocks or beaches. the sound of the insects chirping, of frogs croaking, of dogs barking, and so on. God has created so many kinds of sounds. but often we don't hear these sounds, because of the constant artificial music around us.
But think of the beauty of solitude, of choosing to be alone, to commune with God, to read His Word. to pray and to stop and think Elijah heard that still small voice when he was alone with God. Take time to be alone. to think, to plan, to reflect, to seek wisdom from God. Let's follow the example of our Lord Jesus.
Each week plan to spend some time alone. Perhaps go for a walk in the woods or the park, with thout your headphones on. perhaps sits by the ocean, or climb a hill or mountain. Or just sit alone in your home, on your back porch or some other convenient spot. Yeah, switch off your iPhone.
Be still. And O God, Enjoy. The solitude. The joy of being alone. Avazander.
You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
