Do you ever have a longing in your heart you need to spend more time with God?
I asked myself this question before I came to the family cabin in the mountains of southwest Colorado.
I pray every morning, read verses or segments of scripture daily and try to live my life as Jesus would want me to. I serve my church, mentor others, and inspire more with the words I write. Yet, where this yearning comes from escapes me.
Ten days later, soothed by the constant rush of the stream or gazing at the mountain top through two-hundred-foot blue spruce, I sense a calm settle in my heart. Praising the creations of God, I watch as the deer graze in the meadow. I sit on the deck grateful for His awesome power without worry about time.
Time. Yes, time opens the lock on my mind and freedom turns the key. In the heart of the city, distractions keep me from time to be with God. TV became my companion instead of Jesus. The news kept my mind on changes within my community.
Here, I made different choices asking the Holy Spirit to guide me to change.
I didn’t renew my TV option, choosing instead to watch movies on Prime Video.
My morning coffee accompanies a bible study, prayer and worship music.
I open my mind to write as I ask the Holy Spirit to inspire and direct my thoughts.
The longing has vanished. I don’t worry about what I don’t have, living each day grateful for what God provides. I noticed my eating habits switched to a healthier lifestyle. Choices I normally wouldn’t make unless a diet dictates.
I awoke this morning feeling refreshed for a new day. What a change from waking up feeling like a slug, praying for energy and strength to make it through the day.
“Good for you,” I can hear some of you saying. “What has all this got to do with me?”
This is what I have learned and what the Holy Spirit urges me to tell you.
If we are too busy to spend even a little time with God every day then we need to make changes happen in our life. I didn’t understand how my busy city life and the daily choices I made impacted my faith. Not until I escaped the rat race.
Feeling God in the bustle of modern living–that’s difficult. I am blessed to make a break from the bustle to a peaceful place. But there are peaceful places in the city too; a park, a lake, the zoo, a country drive, even your own backyard.
Be willing to ask the Father to show you where you can make a change to provide time with Him.
Learn to enjoy silence. It is in the silence we hear God the most.
To those of you who say, “But Lyn, I am just too busy to spend time with God. Isn’t going to church on Sunday enough?”
My answer is–no.
Followers of Jesus become complacent feeling going to church once a week is enough. They seldom seek God for companionship, Jesus as a best friend, and the Holy Spirit as a powerful guide. They fail to strive to live more like Jesus every day through love, compassion, forgiveness, and a helping hand when needed.
You won’t turn your back on a neighbor or child who needs help; why do you think you are too busy to spend daily time with the Heavenly Father who equips you to do good? There may come a time you won’t even hear the Father ask you to help your neighbor because your heart is too busy.
I had a longing for something missing in my faith. The missing part was me. I wasn’t giving God time with my undivided attention so I would be the best equipped to handle His will for me on a daily basis. I had the best intentions. But I let convenience and the sounds of a busy life stand in the way of letting God equip me.
How about you? Do you have an unknown longing?
Do you want more in your faith but don’t have the time?
What would it take to allow you the freedom to unlock your time with God?
It is a privilege to pray for you.
I love the early morning when light seeps into the night sky and reveals its glory minute by minute. The Light of the world is steadfast, faithful, and true. He, the creator of the universe, has set time in motion something by which we can gage our lives. And while God is omnipresent, I must set my mind to remember just that. He is always here within me and around me, and if I allow, through me. What joy to see Him in the sound of the water rushing by, in the songs of the birds, in the beauty of the mountains, in the voice of a friend; and in that still quiet moment when His Word of instruction fills you with peace and strength.
Thank you Lyn for your words that cause me to pause and rest in His presence.
Janie, what a beautifully written comment. I am so happy you were able to pause long enough for the Spirit to guide you to rest in His presence. In the mountains, we are reminded every day and in every step of the creator’s glory.