Written by Karen Robin Paul

When life gets monotonous or overwhelming, is quiet time- alone time with the Lord- your anchor or your afterthought? What would it look like if you gave Jesus the first and best part of each day instead?

Personally, when I read these questions, I’m quite challenged by them. I hesitate to say this, but when life gets so full or slow, quiet time for me is usually an afterthought.

The Importance

So, why is it so important to give Christ the first and best part of your day? Well, it’s like cleaning your glasses, when you wake up in the morning and you put on your glasses, if they are dirty or smudged, your vision is blurred. Quiet time helps clean the “lens” through which we see life—removing distractions, lies, and confusion so we can see clearly.

When I was younger, my mom would always tell me, “If you can make time to eat your meals during the day, you can make time to spend with the Lord”. At the time, I didn’t fully understand her. I thought it was just one of those “mom things” she said, but as I grew in my faith, I began to realise the deep truth in her words. Just like your body needs food to function and give you energy during the day, ‘Spiritual nourishment’ is equally important to face spiritual battles, make wise decisions, and walk in a manner which is pleasing to the Lord. You can’t expect to achieve that if your soul is starving!

In Scripture, we see that Jesus himself retreated often to solitary and lonely areas to spend time with his Father (Mark 6:45-46, Mark 14:32-4, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12), As Pastor Bill Gaultiere says, “The priority of Jesus’ solitude and silence is everywhere in the Gospels. It’s how he began his ministry. It’s how he made important decisions. It’s how he dealt with troubling emotions like grief. It’s how he dealt with the constant demands of his ministry and cared for his soul. It’s how he prepared for his death on the cross.” 

The Individual Need

When I go days without sitting at the feet of Jesus, I begin to feel quite distant, confused, or even empty. Everyday activities start becoming a burden because something just seems to be missing. Instead of spending time with Someone I love, time with God becomes something to do, something to check off, like physical exercise. I slowly begin to then wonder did I connect with God and share my heart with him? Did I seek his wisdom and hear what he wants to tell me today?

‘Unhurried time’ with the Lord, is like cleaning your glasses: He speaks, and things become clear. You can see and experience the reality of His forgiveness and acceptance. You can bring the things that have delighted, encouraged, and made you see Him in a different way than before. When you spend time with Christ, everything becomes easier because you have spent time together. Just like a conversation with your best friend, you can just pick up where you left off.

The Global Need

Did you know that your quiet time can serve as a foundation for effective mission work?

The Lord Jesus Christ talks about sharing the gospel in many passages of Scripture. As you discover and work through your daily devotions or reading plans, take note of how many passages focus on God’s plan for the nations. Nick Whitehead writes, “As you regularly open the Scriptures with your family, small group, or church, draw attention to the global references along the way. Don’t let your kids miss the fact that Romans is a missionary-support letter. Remind your small group that Philippians is a missionary thank-you note. Draw your church into the eschatological excitement of Revelation 7, when we will worship the slain but risen Lamb alongside brothers and sisters from every tribe and tongue and people and nation”.

Another way to spend your alone time with Christ if you are not living in a global mission’s context, is praying for people on the field. Prayer is a powerful weapon. We might not be on the field, but we can help lift the weight of those who are. Praying for friends, family, and various people groups around the world, can be an encouragement to shift the focus of your needs, and bring global issues closer to home instead.

For those on the mission field, finding quiet moments with the Lord can be quite difficult. Constant traveling and connecting with people, while trying to navigate through new cultures and languages is challenging - but it is vital to nurture the foundational love and trust in the One who has led you to that very field. It is crucial to depend on Him when walking into the unknown.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed or distant, ‘clean your glasses’ and remember, that sitting in the presence of the Lord should be the anchor of your life. Seek the Lord above all things and let Him chart your path.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬