Start Every Day With God

Have you ever considered Mark 1:35?  Jesus woke up early in the morning; it was still dark outside; and He went to a deserted place so that He could be alone with God in prayer (my paraphrase).  Jesus was having a Quiet Time.

I know it's hard to understand.  Since Jesus is God, then why did He need to have a Quiet Time with God?  One of the purposes that Jesus came to earth was to set an example for how Christians should live their lives.  I think Jesus was setting an example for us.  We are to be devoted to prayer; not just corporate prayer, but individual prayer -- just you and God.

But I don't think Jesus was merely setting an example.  I think Jesus was praying to His Father because He needed that time.  He found it necessary to have a Quiet Time.

So consider this.  Surely if Christ needed time alone with God, then so do we. It's sort of like recharging your spiritual battery.  Just as a good night's sleep recharges your physical battery, a Quiet Time recharges your spiritual battery.  You will not have the spiritual energy and resources you need without regular time alone with God.

My Quiet Time is the most important part of my day.  It's the first thing I do in the day, because that helps me to be consistent.  There's nothing else competing for my time and attention that early in the morning.  I start by journaling a bit about what's going on my life, and about how I'm doing in my Christian walk.  Then I'll spend time in prayer (ACTS:  Adoration; Confession; Thanksgiving; Supplication).  Finally, I'll spend time listening to God through the reading of His word.  This year I'm just reading through the New Testament, rather than the entire Bible.  You can find a number of Bible reading plans here.

If you want to grow in Christ; if you want to abide in Christ so that He produces spiritual fruit through your life; if you want to tap in to God's power; and if you want God to use you in a bigger way, then I encourage you to start your day with God.  Journal, pray, and then read.  It only takes about twenty to thirty minutes -- a small investment of time that can make a big difference.