Do you spend time with God each day?
Whether you call it devotions or quiet time or some other name, I think all of us as Christians would agree that taking time to read God's Word and pray is a vital part of growing in our walk with the Lord.
Like many of us, I suppose, there have been seasons when I've struggled with making this part of my routine. I have found that, for me, I must schedule it into my day, and, typically, I must do it early in the morning or it will not get done.
A lesson I've been learning lately is that this time is important because it changes me.
I often listen to Dave Ramsey for his financial advice. I've heard him say, when callers ask about tithing, that God has us tithe because He wants us to become givers like Him - and giving makes us better, more generous people. We don't tithe or give offerings because God needs our money. It's not a salvation issue; God loves us regardless. But God knew it would be good for us to learn to give. It changes us.
Lately I've been applying that same thought process to the time I spend with God each morning.
I need not see my devotions as just an item on my spiritual to-do list that I can check off. Rather, the process of reading my Bible and praising and petitioning through prayer can change me. As I get to know God better, my love for Him and trust in how He's working in my life strengthens my relationship with Him. I learn to turn over my worries to Him in prayer, I find promises in His Word to claim, and I see commands that I need to obey.
In this case, change is good. God is teaching me more about Himself and conforming me to His image. Keeping this in mind as I begin my devotions each morning is giving me a new purpose in making my time with God all that it can be.
Exactly! And I used to bemoan the fact that my girls would get up before I was done with my quiet time; now I'm glad they get to see me read the Bible and pray. They see that it's important enough for me to delay breakfast and to make them wait as well.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am struggling in this area! I was SO good about getting up early and doing my Bible time, and then S arrived and pretty much my routine fell apart. Sigh. I need to get back to it!
ReplyDeleteI think we all go through seasons like that - when life changes get us off track for a time. So thankful that God is faithful to walk with us through those days, too!!
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