Spending time with God or quiet time or whatever you want to call it. It's something we know we ought to do, but how often do we actually do it? Maybe you think you don't have enough time or you feel that it is a waste because you've tried it but never really got anything out of it.
But spending time with God is extremely important. If you never talk to God, then how can the relationship grow? God desires time with His loved ones, just like we like to spend time with family and friends. So how can you consistently have a meaningful time with God?
That might seem obvious, but you know how it goes. Many of us have very busy schedules. For example, I'm in band, show choir, piano, and involved in church activities, so I'm very busy most of the time. By time I get home from everything I have to do, I just want to watch television. So I have to carve time out of my busy schedule and make it a priority in order to actually do it.
If you're not alert and can't focus in the morning, then you shouldn't pick that time. If you get into bed and you're asleep in two minutes, that's probably not a good time either. Make your time with God happen when you are most focused during the day. When you're focused, it will be easier to take in His Word and apply it to your life.
Bible study is reading and learning about the Word, but fellowship with God is a personal time of listening to and talking with Him and just enjoying His presence. (Though it's true that God can speak to you through His Word too.) Both are important to keep in practice during your time with God.
Some of you might be thinking, "But why should I spend time with God? It's boring." I have struggled with that and continue to struggle daily. Sometimes having a "quiet time" seems more like a chore than an intimate meeting with God.
If you feel that way, then pray and be honest with God about how you feel. If you don't have a desire to spend time with Him but you wish you did, that's a start! Pastor J.D. Greear once said, "A desire to desire is better than no desire at all." God does care about you, and He wants to have time with you every day no matter what you're going through. Pray that you'll push past your feelings and that you will desire to spend time with Him no matter how you feel.
You may feel too ashamed or too sinful to come before God daily and spend time with Him. But don't let that stop you! Approach God like the sinner did with Jesus when she went up to him and confessed her sin and repented of it (Luke 7:36-50). Come to God with a repentant heart, and He will not turn you away! You can turn away from your sin and turn to Him because He will forgive you.
"Quiet time" with God is really just hanging out with Him, talking to Him, and listening to what He has to say to you too. Here are some suggestions of things you can do with God:
There are many more ways you can spend time with God, but those are just a few to give you some ideas. It's YOUR time with God, so you can switch it up or mix and match what you want to do each day. If you try different things, then it won't become routine or boring.
Even if you have read the whole thing already, they don't call it the "Living Word" for nothing. God's Word applies to us yesterday, today, and tomorrow. One verse may affect us in different ways for different times in our lives.
Like I said earlier, God wants to spend time with you every day and He loves you deeply! Come to Him daily and offer your time to Him. Be consistent. Carve out a piece of your busy schedule to have a meeting with your Creator. You can have a meaningful quiet time with God!
He will help you see things the way He wants you to see them. You'll be more passionate about His agenda rather than your own. But remember, making new habits doesn't happen overnight; it will take some effort. But when you make that decision to start spending time with Him, I think you'll find that your passion for Him will increase more and more!
—Cameron
Cameron loves God, his family, and music. He lives in Kentucky and enjoys Show Choir, band, and playing the piano.
