DNDW 10: Silence & Solitude
What if the noise in your life is drowning out the voice of God?
For the final episode of the 2025 Draw Near Dwell Well Series, Christine chats with soul care extraordinaire Andrew Ranucci about why silence and solitude are essential for spiritual, mental, relational, and physical health. Andrew unpacks the difference between self-care and soul care and helps us understand why silence and solitude feel so uncomfortable and what they reveal about our image of God.
Along with Andrew's wisdom and practical guidance, Christine shares a humbling (and hilarious!) story about her first experience with a silent retreat—complete with temper tantrums in the desert and rage-screaming on the highway. Through powerful imagery—muddy water clearing, a little girl resting on her mother's chest—they explore our deep need simply to be with God.
You'll discover:
Why we'd rather shock ourselves than sit in silence (literally)
The difference between clean grief and dirty grief
How to start with just 10 minutes (or even two)
Why "do as you can, not as you can't" changes everything
If you've been avoiding silence and solitude, this conversation will help you understand why—and give you a gentle place to start.
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DNDW 10 Special Guest
Andrew Ranucci
Andrew Ranucci has led and served the local church for thirty years. After pastoring for 24 years, Andrew transitioned to serving Pastors and Christian leaders through teaching, mentoring, spiritual direction, supervision, and retreat leading.
Andrew’s studies include: Doctor of Ministry (Spiritual Direction) from Fuller Theological Seminary (USA); Master of Arts (Christian Leadership), Bachelor of Theology and Diploma of Ministry from Australian College of Ministry; Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Supervision from St Marks National Theological Centre; Andrew is also a graduate of Renovare International Institute for Spiritual Formation (Santa Barbara USA Cohort).
Season 3 | Draw Near Dwell Well | Topics & Guests
DNDW1: My Accidental Sabbatical | Christine
DNDW2: The Theology of Invitation | Christine
DNDW3: Discerning Shifts | Emily P. Freeman
DNDW4: Practicing Simplicity | Jan Johnson
DNDW5: Sabbath Rest | Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
DNDW6: Slowing Down | Laura L. Smith
DNDW7: Stillness: Therapy & Theology | Crystal Logan
DNDW8: Relational Health | Bob Hamp
DNDW9: Emotional Health | Christy Boulware
DNDW10: Silence & Solitude | Andrew Ranucci
NOTE: Featuring a guest, resource, or organization on The Holy Shift does not necessarily constitute a blanket endorsement of their entire body of work.
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Related Resources & Inspiration
My Silent Retreat (but with Screaming) Story | by Christine Crawford
I was in the throes of grief from the unwanted end of my marriage when a friend recommended I go on a silent retreat. Having never even heard of a silent retreat before, I naively hoped the experience would expedite my healing. So I wandered into the desert for three whole days—completely and utterly alone, and in complete and utter silence. Here's how it went.
Chosen Solitude | Art + Reflection by Sofia Rector
It takes chosen silence—solitude—to trace the shape of a tree, to follow the movement of its growth.
Silence as an Invitation | Recommended Resources from Ruth Haley Barton
I've been sitting with silence a lot this year—learning to embrace it, learning to let it teach me. And one of the guides who's helped me most is Ruth Haley Barton.
Scripture
Luke 5:16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
1 Kings 19:11-1311“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake, there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
MARK 6:31Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
MATTHEW 6:6But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
ISAIAH 30:15This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." But you would have none of it.
Quotes
Learning how to just sit and to be with God with no agenda—I think that's a rare practice for most Western Christians. —Andrew Ranucci
We suffer from a perverse attraction to distraction. Noise is just another way for a lot of us to cope and numb and hide, and the problem is it's muting the voice of God. —Christine Crawford
Solitude and silence allow us to still all those voices and gain clarity with our identity and who we really are. —Andrew Ranucci
If we ever want to be able to hear God through the noise and in the crowd, we must first be able to hear him in the silence. This is the training ground for hearing him everywhere else. —Christine Crawford
If we have an image of God who's a bit of a taskmaster who only gives us approval if we're achieving, then solitude and silence is gonna feel like we're slacking off. —Andrew Ranucci
There is a profound difference between clean grief and dirty grief. All grief leaves a scar, but letting God tend to our wounds in silence and solitude—that's how we make sure it doesn't poison us from the inside out. —Christine Crawford
We avoid silence because we're afraid. Afraid of what we'll see. Afraid of what we'll hear. Afraid of what God might ask. What will happen if I still myself? Do I really want to see myself for who I really am? Do I really want to gain self-awareness? Do I really want to hear God? —Andrew Ranucci
Music
DRAW NEAR DWELL WELL SEASON PLAYLIST
Spanning the spectrum from contemporary worship and traditional hymns to spiritually-secular and vibey instrumental, here's a cross-genre collection to help calm anxiety and inspire connection with God.💛
Other Resources
DWELL Bible App & Prayer App
Longing for God’s Word in your life? Discover the Power of Listening to the Bible.
Hallow Prayer & Meditation App
Discover new ways to grow closer to God alongside millions of other Christians worldwide.
Biblehub: Search, Read & Study
Online Bible Study Suite. Topical, Greek, and Hebrew study tools. Concordances, commentaries, sermons, and devotionals.
Abide Christian Meditation App
Christian Meditation Made Easy
Sleep better and stress less.