In my previous posting, I shared the 5-part article by Teri Maxwell of Titus2.com titled What About Me? on dealing with the oft asked question of Me Time. Now I would like to focus on a more important time – The Necessity of Quiet Time.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mk 1:35
Jesus, the Son of God, God Incarnate, prayed. How much more should we then, sinners, saved by grace, pray?
King David, a man after God’s heart prayed, “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
The Necessity of Quiet Time
That’s what we should do too! Set aside time with the Lord, talk to Him and wait in expectation for His reply.
“But I hardly have time to even shower!’ you protest. Yes, it is so easy to push our Quiet Time with the Lord out of the way when we are busy or running behind schedule. I know because I have done it countless of times.
But in the end, I could have saved myself much heartache and foolishness if I had sought out the Lord before rushing headlong into the urgent but unimportant tasks that require my attention.
It Changes My Perspective on Issues
I have learnt the hard way that indeed, the busier I am, the more I need to spend time with the Lord. Yes, I do pray throughout the day but those prayers are usually the “Please help me, Lord!” type of prayer A dedicated special time with the Lord is different.
I have found that when I do that, my perspective on things changes. Sometimes immediately but usually slowly. Looking after many young children is tiring and draining. Where am I going to find what I need to nourish and care for them when I, myself, am burned out?
Jesus himself told his disciples who were so busy ministering to the needs of the people to, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mk 6:31b
Quiet Time Changes Over the Years
How I have done my Quiet Time over the years have changed. When I had 1 child who took 2 naps a day, I would do my chores during his first nap and then my Quiet Time during his second nap. Then, I would take my own nap.
When I had 2, 3 and then 4 children, I would wake up after the early morning nursing session (usually 5am) to do my Quiet Time. Thereafter, if I felt really sleepy, I would lie down for a short nap. If not, my day would start from 5am. Then, I would really need a nap by mid-day!
I really much prefer it this way because I could start my day right with God. I liked to sit and pray, read the Bible and journal down what God was saying to me.
However, I had baby #5 who would wake up many times a night and still is waking up at least once a night. I just couldn’t stay awake after the 5am nursing session. So I had to change my Quiet Time to the afternoon when the children are doing their quiet play time just before they napped.
There are many days that I just don’t feel like doing my Quiet Time because I am just so tired and all I wanted to do was sleep! So I have this little deal with myself. I tell myself that I can nap after I have finished reading a scripture passage or scheduled chapters of the Bible. On those days, I would just read really quick, and pray a very short prayer. Then I would crash out.
UPDATE : I now (2017), do my Quiet Time first thing in the morning around 6am, since I am almost never woken up by a child – hope I don’t jinx myself!
What do I use for my Quiet Time?
Well, this has also changed over the years. I used to depend very heavily on devotionals especially during those days when I had 4, aged 6 and under.
My husband would tell me that those devotionals were not meat! They were too simple for me. But I told him – better to have read something from God’s Word, even if it is someone else’s interpretation of it, then to read nothing at all.
Milk they may be, but God has used those devotionals to speak to me many, many times over!
Currently (2008), I am just reading through the bible, chapter-by-chapter, using a Bible Plan I found online (something like this one, Bible Reading Plan – Read the Bible in One Year. I have to confess that I have never read through the whole Bible! So this reading plan came to me at the beginning of the year at the best time! I love it!
UPDATE : I now (2017), do my devotions using the S.O.A.P. method which I explain in my post …..
Do put aside time for the Lord
I strongly encourage you to set aside time to be with the Lord. Even if it is just 10 minutes a day. We don’t have to spend 2 hours on our knees just so He will hear us. He knows which season our lives are at.
Just a warning – if you have not done this before or have not done this in a long while and would like to start, satan is not going to be pleased. Expect warfare. Put on your full armour of God & stand firm! Ephesians 6:10- 18
Related Posts:
Falling off the Quiet Time Wagon
Struggling to Spend Quiet Times with the Lord?
1 Comment on The Necessity of Quiet Time
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Teri Maxwell, what an inspiration.