by Charleen Burghardt
At the end of August, I attended a spiritual retreat at Trinity Encounter, a 2,000-acres ranch in Montana. Surrounded by towering pine trees and majestic mountains that stretched as far as the eye could see. The setting was breathtaking. Mornings were crisp and cool but as the day warmed, the sun lit up the landscape in rich greens and earthy browns. Evenings turned cool again the moment the sun set.
A 2,000-acres ranch in Montana
The retreat’s spiritual director gave us a simple yet profound assignment: to sit with a Scripture each morning. The first morning, before breakfast, the assignment was to read Isaiah 43:1-4. Mediate on it and let it soak in. We were free to walk, journal, pray, or sit and listen. Everyone, in silence, drifted off to find their own spaces.
I chose a cushioned bench overlooking a serene pine forest. The air was fresh, carrying a faint scent of pine. Birds’ songs broke the silence of the morning, and the wind whispered gently through the trees. As I sat still, my eyes wandered across the vast expanse of mountains in all their varied shapes and colors. I wondered how this process would be for me, who is constantly in motion with a wandering, hyperactive mind.
I sat still and listened.
To my surprise, during that tranquil time, the verses from Isaiah 43 sprang forth—it seemed as though I read them for the first time.
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you (Isaiah 43:1,2 ESV).
God called me by name and promised to be with me in the deep waters of difficulty. No matter what I am going through, I have the assurance of his closeness. My present situation came to mind. It did seem as though I was in a river with water up to my shoulders. Though I thought I might go under, God said the rivers would not conquer me.
Rivers will not overwhelm you.
The trials and tests I was experiencing in my life back home reminded me of walking through a fire with intense temperatures. But I will walk through the trials. The flames won’t touch me, and I won’t burn,
Fire will not burn you.
Those verses comforted me, assuring me that I’m not alone even in life’s events that overpower me and stretch me. God spoke gently to my spirit.
Then, I read further to verse four. It gripped my heart: “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you (Isaiah 43:4 ESV).
I reread it. And again. I let the words steep like a tea bag in hot water. Gently, God spoke to me through the verse.
“Precious.”
“Honored.”
“Loved.”
In the solitude, I soaked in those truths and repeated them over and over. God met me in the morning’s stillness in a new way.
You are precious
You are honored
You are loved
When I returned home, I could feel the change in me. Now, I intentionally seek solitude to steep in God’s Word and let God speak to me. Sometimes, he quietly talks through a Scripture, and sometimes it is in the quietness of my heart in the beauty of nature. I may not have pine trees and mountains, but I have a porch to sit and take time to hear.
Through this retreat, I learned the power of removing myself from the noise—experiencing quietude and embracing solitude. Just a few moments alone with God’s Word can shift one’s entire perspective.
One way to hear God’s voice is to find a tranquil spot and listen. Being still opens us to listening. It’s a matter of our intention and of eliminating distractions to focus on hearing. Just listen with your heart. You can also reflect on a biblical passage. Let God speak to you through the words. Be open. This will deepen your connection with God, and he will talk with you. If you need refreshing, he will refresh you, or if you have a burden, he will carry it. It’s about making space.
I encourage you to carve out just 10 or 15 minutes today. Find a quiet place. Listen. Read Isaiah 43:1–4 slowly. Let it speak to you. Let it soak in.
You are not forgotten.
You are not alone.
You are deeply loved.
Soak in stillness, soak in the gentle presence of God, hear the whisper in your spirit of God’s voice.
I put a few resources to click below:
What Prevents Us from Hearing God
How to Hear God: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Grieg
I would love to hear how God speaks to you. Share below.
My new book is out and is an excellent resource for anyone experiencing grief. I would be honored if you read my book or shared it with a friend.
book: https://amzn.to/4naP2Wk
Kindle: https://amzn.to/42cZFQn
Grace Offers Hope,
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