Matt 14:23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
Have you felt 'noisy' when alone? Have you felt 'quiet' when among flood of people? I have experienced it. What is your definition of 'Quiet' time? Is it a time and place where you make 'spiritual white noise' to drown the noise of surrounding world or even your own mind?
For me, Quiet time is my 'whitespace' where God and I alone exist, God and I alone commune, God and I alone converse. No Bible reading but flooded with His Rhema Word all over my mind; No loud worship but overwhelmed by the goodness of HIS presence; No prayer but immersed in HIS faithfulness; No supplications but oozing out with gratitude. A place where I feel free, unjudged, I feel open but not vulnerable. A place where I can be the real I am, good, bad and ugly, with no pretentions, for there is nothing that the 'Great I AM' does not know already.
And there is no pre-taught formula for this quiet time. It happens anytime in the day/night, no matter if I am alone or surrounded by people, sleeping or awake, driving or working or walking. When God reaches out, I feel that vacuum that surrounds me, I get to that whitespace with just HIM and I. When I'm broken, need to replenish, I reach into that white space, just I and HIM.
Sometimes our early morning 'quiet time' is the noisiest time in a day with thoughts and chores of the day/week flooding our mind. You need to find that white space where you can be spiritually, truly alone with God. When was the last time you had such a good time with him?
For me, most often the trigger is God's Rhema Word. It takes me to that space where I lose myself, forget my surroundings as the Word opens up to me, illuminates my understanding, speaks, exhorts, rebukes, comforts me and gives me fresh breath of encouragement and energy. Have you identified your trigger?
Jesus just heard the news of his cousin John the Baptist's beheading, didn't even have time to grieve. He is surrounded by flood of people, miraculously feeds 5000 but within His heart, HE longed for His whitespace with His Father to replenish. He grasped the first opportunity that night to be alone with His Father. Disciples were worried about Jesus missing the last boat to cross over. But, Jesus knew its time for His whitespace with God to even take another step; as this may have reminded Jesus of the horrible death He would die one day for all of humanity.
Modern life has given us all tools and tech to never be alone, yet this generation is the loneliest of all! Attending Church, Reading bible, Flashy Prayers are not quiet times. Don't get me wrong, these are foundational and healthy spiritual exercises. But real quiet time is an active relationship, an active conversation with Jesus and an active experience of peace. You'll draw sustaining and thriving strength that's unparalleled to any other source.
When we fail to stand with HIM alone, we fall into the crowd hoping to replenish peace, love and strength but only grow weaker. We may indeed feel so for a time but not for long. Salt water never quenches thirst no matter how many times you try my friend.
This experience is not a 'spiritual elite' thingy. Your quiet time now may start with simple Worship, Bible reading and Prayer every day and it is good. But don't settle into that as a routine. Thirst, desire and seek beyond and long to experience His presence. Not bombastic, eloquent, ornamental prayers but simply converse with the Father like a child, ask Holy Spirit to train you. Once you experience, your life will never be the same. You'll find yourself used by God in places that you can never even imagine.
Are you reading this but you are yet to enjoy such thriving relationship with Jesus? He is waiting for you! You may be part of a religion in the world but life in Jesus is an active and thriving relationship with God who gave us the birthright of being His children. Being an orphan or a cherished child of God almighty? Choice is yours, would you make it today?
Have a blessed day, week ahead and let it begin with your real quiet time with HIM!
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