Imagine if I scheduled a Friday night date with Amanda, got a sitter, made myself presentable, got in the car, and drove to the Wendy's at the end of the street. Once we got there, I drove us through the drive through, ordered our food, and then ate it in the van in the parking lot. While we were eating our food, I responded to a few texts and checked the score of a few different games. After we were done eating, we then drove home to let the sitter go for the night.
For the record, I have never done that! Close but not quite. Here's my question. Was that a date? Officially, yes. Can I call that a date night? Maybe. Was the food good? Technically, yes. Were Amanda and I together? I hope so.
But did Amanda and I connect with each other in a meaningful way? No! Did we give enough time for me to share what was on my heart and for her to share what was on hers? No! Did we grow closer to each other through the experience. Most likely not!
Many of us approach our daily quiet time/devotions/time with God (whatever you call it) like this. It is simply a task. It's a duty. It's something we can check off of our to do list. Now, before some of you tune me out, I fully recognize that we don't always feel like having our daily time with God but we do it anyway. There have been times I don't feel like going on a date with Amanda but I do it anyway. But that's not my point.
Instead, I have a simple action step I'm encouraging you to think about. Instead of viewing your relationship with God as a TASK, commit to spending a minimum amount of TIME with your Heavenly Father every day.
Don't commit just to reading x number of chapters in the Bible or to praying for x number of minutes. Instead, block out a significant chunk of time that is a "date" with God. Sure, you can have some specific actions you have committed to do in that time but make the time about connecting with God. Be fully present. Make it a time when there are no distractions. I have to get up early every morning in my home to make this happen. You might have to do that as well. Set aside everything else going on around you.
Begin your time by taking a big deep breath and saying, "God, I want to be with you and nobody else for the next half hour (or hour or more). I desperately need you... I desire to fellowship with you and be close to you... Here are some things on my heart... I am so messed up in so many ways. Here are some ways that I have sinned against you and others... I'm going to be quiet now and let you talk to me... As I read your Word, show me more about you and how I am to live with you... I am asking that you work powerfully in these situations..." I'm not trying to put words in your mouth but show you what it might sound like for you to commune with your Savior. By the way, the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 7 is a great model to follow. Don't just recite it. Put it into your own words. Add to it. Make it yours.
Our goal is fellowship and communion with our Heavenly Father. It's not to check off our first "to do" of the day. This is going to look differently for all of us but the common denominator is TIME. This will not happen if you are not intentional about setting aside that time on a daily basis. Put it in your calendar first and then make it a priority.
A quick warning as a I finish - you may have to give up something else in order to make this a priority. I'll let you and the Holy Spirit figure that out.
Let me know how I can encourage your challenge you. I'd be happy to hold you accountable to your TIME with God. If not me, find somebody to do that!
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