The retreat center room from which I now write is so quiet that a physical sensation of silence presses upon my eardrums. As a father of three young children, such times are rare and treasured. Even though I’m here to work — it’s our first Fellowship of the Burning Heart Gathering Retreat — the times alone are reminding me who I am in Christ.

Richard Foster says that in solitude ​“we are set free from the many ​‘false selves’ we have built up in order to cope with the expectations others place upon us — and we place upon ourselves. Solitude empowers us to walk away from all human pretense and manipulation.”

An out of town multi-night retreat might not be an option for you anytime soon, but consider scouring your calendar for a day or an afternoon to set aside for undistracted time with Jesus.

May you grow in the freedom of Christ,