The Journey - Time With God

Jun 26

As we come to the end of this season of The Journey Blog, I want to leave you with a powerful practice; something you may already be doing — Time With God.

Our last post, Sustaining Grace, talked about practices that remind us how God loves and accepts us, just the way we are. These practices help us pause and turn our attention to His presence with us.

Another step we can take into this sustaining grace is the practice of simply spending time with God in silence and solitude; spending quiet time alone, to intentionally release the cares of the world from our minds, so we can refill them with God’s love and guidance.

Again, Jesus shows us how.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

If Jesus needed time alone with God, His Father, how much more do we need time alone with God? We need to pull away from the crush of busyness and noise to hear God’s voice.

Ruth Haley Barton (author of several books on Spiritual Formation and Transforming Center Founder) describes a busy life —

Long ago, a wise spiritual director said to me, “Ruth, you are like a jar of river water all shaken up. What you need is to sit still long enough so that the sediment can settle and the water can become clear.” This was an invitation to “be still and know” beyond my addiction to noise, words, people, and performance-oriented activity.

God promises to meet us in these still, quiet places —

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

Slowing down, being quiet, and being alone with God can transform our lives. In this time with Him, we learn to recognize His voice. We receive much needed soul rest. We gain a new perspective on our lives and relationships.

It can also be a challenge to find time and space to do it.

Here are two ways to include silence and solitude in your life.

Little Solitudes

The first is very simple. Look for small moments in your day to remember God is with you. Richard Foster calls these “Little Solitudes” (105) You can turn your thoughts to God’s presence during —

Time over your first cup of coffee
Your commute alone in the car
Upon seeing a beautiful flower or tree
By slipping outside at night to be alone with God

These are good times to simply pause and turn your thoughts to God. You might tell Him “Thank You.” You can share your concerns in the moment. You might simply remember He is with you.

The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will be quiet with His love. He will delight in you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Morning (or Afternoon) With God

The second option I’d like to offer is something that takes a bit more time. If you are able to set aside 30 minutes, an hour, a morning, or an afternoon you can follow along with these suggestions.

Find a place free from distractions. You can sit or walk. Outdoors can be a great space. You might like to find a quiet room in your home or the library. Some can do this in the anonymity of a coffee shop.
Expect to meet with God. Feel free to read your Bible, write or draw in a notebook. Pray on the basis of Scripture — choose a verse or passage and talk to God about it. Take time to listen to Him. He may meet you with a little breeze, or it might be a big revelation. God will answer in His way.
Sometimes it is simply a time to rest with Him, remembering He is there. He sees you and He loves you. You may want to write down what He shows you.
How to deal with a wandering mind. This happens to everyone! Even those who have a lot of experience with silence. Acknowledge the thought and let it roll by. Like a leaf floating down a river, let it go.

Ask yourself: Is this something I can control?

Yes — Ask God to guide you. If He wants you to do something, put it on a “To Do” List.

No — Write it on an “Entrust to God” List. Ask God to help you trust Him with it.

Visualize concerns rolling off your shoulders, so you can focus on God.

This is your time with God. Spend it any way you and God want. If you like, read and meditate on one or more of these verses —

Wait for Him

Psalm 46:10-11

Psalm 40:1-2

Psalm 130:5-6

Hear His Heart for You

Zephaniah 3:17

Romans 8:37-39

Psalm 139

Rest in Him

Isaiah 30:15

Philippians 4:6-7

John 16:33

Psalm 62:1-2

Matthew 11:28-30

I call You, my God, for you will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of Your great love. Psalm 17:6-7a

Like that jar of river water that settles as it rests, time with God will help your soul settle… and become more attuned to His voice… experience greater rest and peace… help you with decisions and next steps… and increase your love for others.

The fruit of solitude is increased sensitivity and compassion for others. (Foster, 108)

Beyond our time in quiet, silence and solitude have a lasting impact — a stronger sense of God’s hand in our life, ability to see others as God’s unique creations, increasing ability to allow God to interact uniquely with others instead of fixing things for them, and more…

Most importantly, time with God helps you grow in intimacy with God; and helps you know yourself as a beloved child of your loving Father and Friend.

Looking Ahead

Thanks for joining me on this leg of The Journey. Please join us this fall as we continue on this spiritual formation journey with a 6-week course from Renovare, From the Inside Out. Look for details and start dates in the weeks to come.

I love you, Shallowford. You are sent!

Anne

anne@shallowford.church