Some people claim that they never have time for daily devotions. These same people may schedule three meals a day and snacks between the meals. Obviously it is difficult to find legitimate excuses for not having a daily devotional time. So taking time for daily devotions is an issue of priorities. We take time or make time to do the things that are really important to us. The priority we give to our daily devotions helps show how much our relationship to God means to us.
The quality and depth of a devotional time is more important than its quantity and length. Nevertheless you can hardly have a successful devotional time by rushing in and out of the presence of God for a spiritual lift as you would go through a drive through for a latte (that’s French for an expensive cup of coffee). Therefore you should not hurry your devotional time but should plan for sufficient time to focus on the Lord and communicate meaningfully with Him. Then you will strengthen your relationship to God and see your devotional time develop rather than decline.
The length of personal devotions may be limited by your schedule for sleeping, eating, working, family time, and other responsibilities. Exceptions to these factors are days off work, periods of fasting, or special occasions planned for time with the Lord. However, we usually find time for the activities we really desire to do. And we should be willing to miss a meal or some sleep if necessary in order to spend time with the Lord.
On occasions such as a trip to the mountains or beach, we may be free from our routine schedule to have a longer devotional time. However, this is where I often get out of my routine and have less of devotional time if any at all. Before major decisions Christians might extend their prayer time throughout the night (Luke 6:12–13). Again, shorter and more frequent devotional times often best fit a daily schedule filled with decisions, meetings, advising, and numerous intense activities that call for renewed wisdom and strength from the Lord.
Here is a plan to get you started.
“Thirty Minutes With God”
1. Relax (2 minutes)
Be still and be quiet! Slow down! Prepare your heart. Take a few deep breaths and wait on God.
2. Read (5 minutes)
Begin reading where you left off the day before. Read until you feel God has told you something. Then stop and think about it.
3. Reflect (8 minutes)
Think about what the passage means to your life, and write those thoughts down. Part of reflecting is memorizing verses that speak to you in a special way.
4. Record (5 minutes)
Write out a personal application statement that is practical, possible, and measurable. If you can't write it down, you probably don't understand it. Remember also that context of Scripture is important and if not careful we can "make" or "adjust" God's word to say what we want as opposed to what the timeless principle is.
5. Request (10 minutes)
Conclude your Quiet Time by talking to God about what He has shown you and making your requests from your prayer list.
Bibliography:
Charles R. Swindoll and Roy B. Zuck, Understanding Christian Theology (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003), 1071.
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