I
confess. I have known Jesus since I was nine years old. That is over half a
century, now. And still, the most challenging part of my faith walk involves
“daily devotions.” I make it through about a month of the One Year Bible. I tackle “the Bible in 90 days,” and last for a
third of that. I gather up study guides and ask friends for recommendations and
buy journals and … still, I struggle. I even teach a women’s conference session
titled “Women of the Word,” all about how vital it is for God’s women to spend
time alone with Him in His Word. I always make it clear that I teach that
session out of my personal weakness, not from a place of strength. Every single
time I teach it, I’m speaking to myself
Why is it so difficult to step away
for a few minutes with the Lord of the Universe? I do think I know the answer
to that, actually. First, there’s my
flesh. I’m a rush-rush-gitrdone kinda gal. I don’t sit still for much of
anything. Multi-tasking-r-us. Hopefully you can relate. So “quiet time” is a
personal battle. Then, there’s the world.
Set aside a time and the phone rings. A friend stops by unannounced. A deadline
takes over my life. Lastly, there’s the
Devil. And what better way to have victory in a believer’s life than to get
in the way of their nourishment? All the barriers are real, but defeat is not
an option. So, I’ve tried something new (again).
This time, it involves “preparing a
place to meet God.” That sounds pretty heady, but my version of it involved
stacking up some orange crates around the corner in my kitchen to use as
shelving for all the versions of the Bible I own, all the devotional books, and
… ta dah. A notebook. I chose Moleskine. The simple act of collecting things in
a place where I do nothing else really has a made a difference. And it doesn’t
hurt that I have to walk past this space to get to my office. (If I pass the
seasonal quilt display, I’ve walked past the place designed for my quiet time.)
Another thing I’ve done recently is
to register at Crosswalk.com to receive Streams
in the Desert every day. When I go to my e-mail, Streams in the Desert is waiting. My daughter actually introduced
me to this classic. “Highly recommended” doesn’t even begin to say what the
messages have meant to me in recent weeks.
So … there you have it. My
confession and what I’ve done about it. The world, the flesh, and the Devil are
still at war trying to mess with my spiritual life, but I’m not giving up. And
neither should you.
This is Veronica, I have been having problems posting comments on this site. Tammy so graciously tried to fix it by changing some things. Tam, I can now post but it always makes me anonymous...go figure! lol I will check things on my end. Thanks for trying sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteAn Oh! Stephanie welcome back! it's always good to hear from you!
I did Streams In the Dessert one year - it was fabulous! You will enjoy it if you aren't already.
ReplyDeleteI got an app on my phone. It pops up a reminder everyday for me to read the next section of my "reading plan". It's great because the app has a lot of different plans I can choose from to work through. If I miss it in the morning, I can find time for it later because it's always in my pocket on my phone.
For the first time in marriage (28 years), Hubs and I are reading a devotional together every morning--JESUS CALLING. Amazing what it's done for OUR relationship! Spending time with Him every day makes a huge difference in our lives. Congrats on meeting your goal, Steph. :o)
ReplyDeleteI've struggled for years to keep a daily time. Right now, if I do it 3x/week, I'm doing well. Due to my schedule, I can't do it in the mornings...but I have to get it done before Erik gets home. It's tough!! Right now, he and I are going through Beth Moore's "Beloved Disciple" together. I LOVE it...just wish I was more disciplined to keep it up daily!!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, thank you for opening your heart to us today. Sometimes it feels like I'm alone in my struggle to keep up with my time with God.
I shared this privately with Steph last night, but will repeat for others.
ReplyDeleteStreams in the Desert has been a lifeline for me since 2005. I have actually worn out two copies. Now I have a very nice leather covered one; it is highlighted and tabbed like crazy. I use the updated version by Jim Reimann which I highly recommend. So much easier to read & understand, and reading what Jim was going through in his personal life as he worked on this update is powerful. Jim Reimann also did the update to My Utmost for His Highest.
The leather bound version is inexpensive (a bit over $13) and wonderful to use because the leather feels so good. The pages are the thin paper used in Bibles which means it is very portable. Here's a link: http://is.gd/pzfUQz
If you are in the valley, if you are crossing a desert, this devotional will touch your heart and help you see God's hand no matter the darkness. There is a reason it is a classic. God has blessed it for 87 years and counting.
Thanks for sharing, Steph. In this busy world, I think we all struggle to find the time to be still before the Lord and have a quiet time with Him. I have been getting Rick Warren's daily e-mals from Purpose Driven Connection that currently deal with this very topic. There isn't anything in there I don't already know, but they are reminders of ways I can grow closer to the Lord by spending time in the Word. Anyone who is interested can sign-up here:
ReplyDeletehttp://profile.purposedriven.com/managesubscriptionssimple.aspx
What a novel idea. And you mean i'm not the only one with this struggle? Of course i knew i wasn't, but no one had ever come out and told me they had the same problem. And a way to fix it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhew! Nice to know I'm not the only one. Sometimes it is easy for us to get "down on ourselves" and think we'd better not admit to failing at something we've all been taught is a "basic" of the Christian walk. I am so dependent on that phrase from the Bible that says "He is mindful that we are but dust." Thanks, too, for those great recommendations.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing today, Steph---and I have to say that the Lord has used this blog yet again to speak to me! Just this morning (before reading your post) I was thinking about this very thing--although I do spend time in the Word every day, so often I don't feel I'm spending enough time. I know I need to do better and will strive to make this TOP priority. ~ So when I read your post I felt you were speaking to moi! (and I'm eager to check out these recommendations mentioned today--I already LOVE my copy of Jesus Calling, and would like to read these others too). Blessings on your weekend, Patti Jo
ReplyDeletePatti Jo, thanks so much for taking time to let me know that you found the post worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "Great Reminder" Steph! I am as guilty as the next person falling by the wayside and right now in my life is a prime opportunity to get my act together. I have taken on board and written down the things that have been mentioned in your post and also in a couple of the other ladies comments. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteRosie
Stephanie, thank you for your willingness to share your personal spiritual walk. I understand completely. I've started many and stopped for many of the reasons you listed. This year (Robin, are you listening?) I started for the very first time The One Year Bible; to read through the Bible in a year. I have studied the Bible many times, but not like this. Well, you guessed it, life happened! Actually my DH has been in and out of the hospital the past month. He is improving each day. God covered him with His mercy from what could have been so much worse. Praise be to God!
ReplyDeleteI say all this, cause I lost so many days of my reading and pursuing my writing. I don't know if I start where I left off or start on the present day.
The most important is I feel encouraged by your sharing, Stephanie!!
I have missed all of you from "Writes of Passage," too! Even though I have not met you all face-to-face (yet!, you bless me by your posts and comments!
Love & hugs,
Miriam
p.s.-- I love "Streams in the Desert"
Miriam ... I so relate to what you said about losing and getting behind in the One Year Bible (obviously) ... the thing I decided was I wouldn't panic about trying to catch up. The "One Year Bible Police" weren't going to knock on my door if I just read ... slowly. And diligently. Don't give up! You encourage d ME today. Thank you so much for taking time.
ReplyDelete