I’ve always felt a bit like a loner when a discussion turns to ‘Quiet Times’. I usually offer my thoughts as they relate to me and my relational walk with the Father. But my thoughts seem somewhat different to many other Christian women. Why? Am I a freak? I know I don’t have all my theological ducks-in-a-row but I know my Father.
Sometimes life feels as though it is against me. Dare I say it? Sometimes it feels as though God is against me. Yet I know this is not true. God isn’t my personal fairy God-father. rather, He is God and He allows the processes of life to cause me pain but He has not, and will not ever abandon me.
However, I’ve learned that I don’t have to try to have a relationship with my Father…He reveals Himself to me and reveals things about myself to me. He’s real in my life, whether or not I have a devotional time in the morning, the evening or in the shower!
I don’t want to play the game of religion. I don’t even want to play the game of Christianity. I want to know God and I want to walk with Him. There was a time when I felt secure in my life because of certain ‘religious’ activities, but God has been pruning these things out of my life, showing me how unimportant (and sometimes detrimental) they really are to relational living with Him. Instead of filling week nights with ‘worship’ practice, worship nights, writing Sunday School curriculum, leading Kids Club, being a puppeteer and a handful of other activities I am re-learning how to live in His love, to follow His voice and totally depend upon Him.
This is what it means to me when I say I am a believer, a follower of Christ. It means relational living with God, not one day a week nor several days a week at activities. Every decision I make centres around the Lord. Yet that is not to say that I get it right- far from it! But He knows my heart.
So why do I feel like an odd ball when talking to other Christians about my ‘ daily quiet time’?
I have never been one to use devotional aids. I find them contrived and largely artificial. I’m not one who religiously reads several chapters every day before breakfast. But in keeping with breakfast and eating, my ‘quiet time’ is akin to my diet. I simply don’t recall what I ate for breakfast 6 months ago. But I know it was nutritious and healthy and strength giving! If my diet goes downhill then so does my physical status after a time. Soon afterwards I’ll pick up again with my vitamins for it is this buildup of nutrients that will keep me strong and healthy – even in times of famine. (Not that we experience famine in the true sense of the word)
My Bible reading is similar: I may not read three or four chapters every day. I may not remember what I read several months ago…but reading the Bible is is pure nourishment for my soul. It is this buildup of nutrients that keeps me strong – even in times of famine or the dry, hard times.
Hmmm, obviously I am a fellow odd-ball. I so relate to Him pruning certain ‘formula’s’ (as I call them) from my life. I seldom rely on devotionals, but one is a favourite of mine. “My Utmost For His Highest”. I reach for that one when I need a kick-start. It speaks volumes to me.
I believe discipline is important to our walk. Sadly, discipline is one of my biggest weaknesses, for I struggle to maintain it. However, anything we lean on as to make us ‘feel good’, is bound to get in the way of true intimacy. I find it hard to find a balance to be honest.
I enjoyed this post, because you shared your heart. I always enjoy these types of posts the most.
I would love to hear more as you feel led. :heart:
I particularly like anything (including devotionals) by J. R. Miller. And yes I totally agree that discipline is or should be a standard fare for the Christian walk- but there are even times and seasons when that appears different. I like how you put it Amanda:
Ah Susan, you’re not as odd as you think! Your ‘quiet times’ sound rather similar to mine. I am not a fan of devotional/quiet times books unless I am lead to one by God and then I know it will have relevance for me. I love praying and opening my bible and letting God speak to me thru the scripture. I love to put on worship music and let it speak to my soul. I agree about the not remembering either, some times I remember my quiet time from months ago but other times I dont, its like all my relationships, I dont remember every single conversation I have had with my hubby but thru our conversations are relationship has grown.
You are not an odd ball and Praise God that he meets us exactly where WE are at , not where the person next door is at.
Luv Donna :-))
Hi Donna, I love the way you phrased this:
How true!
Loved this post…I think I am a bit of an odd ball too:)
I also like Donna love to open the Bible and read it and let God speak to me.
I think devotionals are good and I wouldn’t disparage them. They seem to be a good fit for some people but it isn’t for me unless I feel God leading me to read one (like Donna again):)
I also wouldn’t disparage having a time set aside with God each day. I think back to my “work outside the home” days and find that I needed to have that “set time” of the day before my time and attention were taken by my job!
So, does that make you feel like less of an odd ball? I hope so:)
BTW, I don’t like the use of the word “quiet time” personally. I prefer to call it “spending time with God” and that can be spread through any time of the day for me in this season of my life! Right now I pray a bit in the morning, read the Bible or another christian book in the afternoon and pray again if I have time and then read the Bible some more at night….besides involving God in all the other things I do during the day as well:)
We had a recent fast at our church and one of the things I felt God speak to me was about what does it mean to draw closer to Him? We use this phrase a lot but what does it mean? I got the answer from Him almost instantly – how much of our thoughts are occupied with Him? How much of my life is spent thinking about Him and what would please / displease Him? How much do I involve Him in the daily routines of life?
That to me is a good inidicator of how close I am to Him:)
Sorry this has turned into a bit of a post instead of comment:)
Hi Rosemary,
Lovely to hear form you. Your church fast sounds interesting!
Yes! For this is dying to self… this is following after Christ… this is being His servant. This is where the rubber meets the road ! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Susan,
I think that the teaching that we receive affects who we are in Christ, but I would never judge what another person does in their quiet time, for what works for me wouldn’t necessarily work for someone else.
Who you are in Christ is reflected in the way that you walk, talk and relate to people, and the way that you do your quiet time is just an extension of who you are. :heart:
God doesn’t want us to be clones of one another, but we are to grow in Him daily, and change into His glorious likeness little by little.
An excellent thought-provoking post, Susan! 😀
Have a wonderful weekend,
Blessings,
Jillian
Hi Jillian,
Yes… fruit. And therein can also lie a difficulty if we look at the fruit of others or even of ourselves and try to measure it up against another. And yes, I did have a good weekend. John got home, after being gone all week, and we had a very restful two days. Lovely! How abotu yourself?
Dear Susan
How much of this stuff (quiet time, reading, prayer time) is “personality” too……..I am more inclined to the organised and logical (I am a firstborn 😉 ) …..maybe you are much more creative and respond to flexible living (not wanting to generalise though)…….
I guess that is why I could NEVER teach in a natural living style, just not enough structure for me…… 😉
If I did not have a goal each year (like for Bible reading) perhaps I would never pick it up ( although my desire for relationship may motivate me) perhaps I am more competitive? Wanna beat my own record? :curse:
I do not know Susan….. but being around women who actually READ their Bible (at all and no matter how!!) is a sad but novel experience to me….I find that many simply DO NOT!
The fact YOU and others worry about it/ wonder about/ talk about it is indication to me that you all DO IT……….that is the issue!!!
So I think we are all ODDBALLS
In saying that……
I still wonder how much of our relating to God is based on our learning styles and personalities?
Dunno just a thought?
Love Cath
PS But hey girl I always did think you were quirky…. :silly:
PPS That is a joke O:-) Just in case you (or others) were wondering!
Thanks for popping by Cathy,
Lovely, as always, to hear your thoughts. :-))
Hmmmm.
I see it as a phase of life thing. When I was working outside the home, my “quiet time” was an unshakable part of an inflexible routine (ah, not that I’m a control freak or anything 😛 ).
Routine now goes out the window each time a new child comes on the scene, and stays OWOL until the youngest is a respectable age. We then get back to something like order, only to have it all thrown to the dogs when the next baby comes along.
With Miss Baby 2 years old now, we are seeing the beginnings of something like routine returning…
What does that look like as far as “devotions/quiet time”? We read the Bible and pray together in the mornings. Most days. No big music/worship scenes, just read and pray. That’s it for me. Who knows what it will be like in the next phase of life!
Thanks for sharing honestly.
Hi Joi,
Thanks for sharing. I totally agree with your thoughts. I know that there have been different times- different seasons of Bible reading and/or devotional / quiet times throughout my life.
You don’t have your theological ducks in row? I’m shocked! LOL
I have a WONDERFUL podcast for you to read about “Bible Time” Bible is map to God. Use map to get to Disney but when you get there don’t sit reading map– you ride the rides!
“Misconceptions About the Bible Podcast” http://ow.ly/19QKU
How are you Susan? haven’t been here in a while and missed out your great posts. You are one growing gal!! (Spiritual growth)
I’m rectifying that today with a special folder on my Google Reader -DO NOT MISS HOMESCHOOL BLOG– I’ll be here more often to soak up your wisdom.
Sure would love to come visit you one day. Maybe the Lord will work that out. . We get so many emails from Aussie. I tell them to contact you.
{{{hugs}}}
Love,
Robin
Hi Robin,
I’ll check out that podcast in the next few days. Thanks for recommending it.
Oh, you know I would *love* to see you over here in Aust for a conference…but that is all in the Lord’s hands. In the meantime, at least we have e- communication.
Thanks for stopping by!