"And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave."

- 1 Kings 19:12

 

Our most recent retreat, "The Holy Whisper," was a silent retreat held November 4-6, 2011, at the Oasis Ranch and Retreat Center near Hutchinson, Kansas.

In this day and age, the thought of spending an extended amount of time in silence and solitude may feel strange to many of us, and downright terrifying to others.  On the other hand, it is hard to imagine a more essential and potentially liberating spiritual discipline for such a time as this.

According to a recent study conducted by Ball State University's Center for Media Design, the average American is directly engaged in some form of media at least 12 hours per day (1/2 of the day, or 2/3 of normal waking hours).  We live in a culture that is literally immersed in a seemingly limitless sea of noise.  Is it any wonder, then, as Thomas Kelly once wrote in his Testament of Devotion, that we tend to find ourselves "weary, breathless ... unhappy, uneasy, strained, oppressed and fearful we shall be shallow"?

Even though he lived in a different time and place, Jesus was no stranger to the need for silence and solitude.  According to those who knew him best, our Lord "often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Lk 5:16).  Even the Messiah didn't have a "messiah complex."  And he invited his disciples to follow his lead:

"Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

- Mark 6:31

If you missed this retreat, don't panic.  There are more to come!  For those who are sensing a fresh call to set aside some personal space for silence and solitude, we want to encourage you to begin planning now for a personal retreat.  Click on the "Personal Retreats" link at the bottom of this page for suggestions and resources.