The grey branches of a once luxuriant tree outside the front door looked like small hands reaching into the milky dawn, and I could find motivation to do what I knew I ought to do.
Winter wears on me.
The darkness, the long hours inside the house, the lack of outdoor time-it all leaves me just a little bit gaunt in every place except my waistline.
Watching the limbs of the tree out front blow in the winter wind, I walked into the kitchen to brew coffee and told myself that it would be worth it.
Getting up thirty minutes before everyone, leaving the laptop closed, and committing to seek the face of my Heavenly Father would be worth every ounce of effort.
It didn't feel like it in the sleepy hour of daybreak, but experience told me it was true.
Most of us struggle to find time to meet with God. We talk about our busy schedules, our exhaustion, how prayer always turns to sleep, and how it's just not practical in this season of life.
I've made each of these rationalizations more than once. What I really mean when I say these things is this: Finding time to meet with God will cost me something, and I don't want to pay the price.
When I say I don't have time to get alone with God, what I'm really saying is that it will cost me sleep to set aside time with God, and I'm not willing to pay that price. I'm saying I won't pay the price of less screen time, schedule-setting, or trying and failing and trying again.
If we want time with the Lord to be a priority in our lives, there will be a cost. The cost will probably include cutting out a comfort or eliminating a hindrance. There was never a guarantee it would be easy, but when we are compelled by love, the cost becomes well work the effort.
Often, the love that will compel us becomes most real to us after, not before, we pay a price and step out in faith with the assurance that God really will draw near to us when we draw near to Him.
For anyone willing to embrace the cost, here are a few tips for finding time to meet with God....
1. Get up earlier.
In the most demanding season of our lives, set an alarm to get up early so that you can meet with God every morning.
Will you be tired by lunchtime? Absolutely.
Was the sacrifice worth every weary moment? Absolutely.
For many of us, early morning is the optimal time to find time alone with God.
There is a cost, and it is entirely worth the price if we will simply trust God to hold good on his promise.
2. Limit technology and entertainment.
At the end of the day, digging into God's Word sometimes feels like work.
I've been working all day, and I want nothing more than to veg out in front of the TV and watch a thoughtless sitcom.
While there's nothing wrong with a little bit of thoughtless vegging, if this activity is occupying hours of the day, it's worth swapping out some tech time for some time alone with God.
3. Start and end with Him.
The Lord wants to walk with us throughout every part of our days.
The more we intentionally set aside time to focus our thoughts on him, the more our mind will return to him in stressful, difficult, and even peaceful moments throughout our days.
The disciplines of starting and ending the day with the Lord are like bookends to our lives, and this practice holds the power to transform our entire lives.
4. Schedule it.
If time with the Lord isn't a part of my daily schedule, it simply won't happen.
I'll put it off for later. I'll save it for when I have a "down minute," but these minutes are few and far between.
I have to schedule my time with the Lord at the beginning and end of the day.
When it's part of the daily rhythm of my life, I don't have to wrestle to make room. It's a simple part of what I do, and it feeds my soul like the meals I eat three times a day.
5. Take the first step.
If you've struggled to find a consistent time to meet with the Lord, begin by coming up with a reasonable plan and taking the first step.
Every habit begins with one simple step in the right direction. The more you meet with the Lord, the more your soul will crave the nourishment of time set apart in his love.
Realize that you can decide to begin each day with two essentials that absolutely has to go together: coffee and Jesus.
Let's Pray:
Father God,
We come to you to realize that we are to spend time with you alone. We are to set a daily devotional and prayer time with you. Help us to learn to make time for you. Help us to realize that we can talk to you like you are our best friend. That you will never laugh at us nor discourage us but only encourage, inspire, guide, comfort, convict, and help.
Jesus name we pray.
Amen
With Love,
B
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