For years I have over-analyzed and hyper-spiritualized my time alone with God. I have become so overwhelmed at the task of spending time with God because I feel that I have to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour in prayer and bible reading, that I end up spending no specific time with Him. Thus, I end up not being fed spiritually and God is not glorified in my life because my connection to the vine is fragile.
Because of this, I have challenged myself and the guys in my Discipleship Group to spend 5 minutes alone with God daily. Just before you think that sounds extremely unspiritual . . . just think how much more efficacious it is to get at least some time in the word and prayer rather than none at all. I am not encouraging you all to limit your time alone with God to just 5 minutes, but I am encouraging you if you are new believer or you are out of the habit of spending time with God daily in bible reading and prayer, to start off spending 5 minutes with the Lord daily. Read a verse or two say in the Gospels or in Paul's Epistles and try to jot down a quick summary of what you think the writer is trying to convey. Then pray to God. Ask him to help your life reflect better the truth of what you just read. You might want to end by praying the Lord's prayer or singing the Doxology.
Whatever you do, remember whether you're spending 5 minutes in prayer and bible reading or 4 hours, God's love for you isn't more or less depending on the time you spend with Him. You're relationship with Him is founded on and grounded in Christ and His finished work on the Cross. However, if you begin spending 5 minutes with God daily, it will eventually turn into more. You don't grow tired of being filled up on God, the more of Him you "have", the more of Him you desire. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will love about him, and that's a good thing!
Psalm 16:11 "In Your Presence is Fullness of Joy . . . "
JM
Friday, August 8, 2008
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1 comments:
Amen! This is a big challenge especially as people make the transition to life outside of college and outside of college ministry. It's easy to feel guilty when one is used to an hour or two alone with God and now is stuggling to get 5 minutes. Its a great challenge to strive to get five minutes with God and a realistic one. Especially since the Lord has given us 1440 minutes a day to use. I am confident that 5 minutes will turn into 10, 15, and who knows how much more.
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