Things I Think…
1. I don’t know about the rest of you, but mornings are difficult for me.
The first thing I do when I awaken is take pain meds so I can reasonably function for the next few hours.
Once they have kicked in, I have to start a fire in the fireplace, get my mother her medications, get breakfast for her and get the cats fed. By then, the world has started to creep in as I hear the text messages and emails announce themselves on my phone. Then, of course, I start thinking about the demands of the day ahead.
Your mornings may differ in the details, but I can reasonably assume they are as busy and difficult as mine are.
Where, you may piously ask, is my “quiet time”?
You probably ask this because it is one of Christendoms favorite ways to make others feel less spiritual than the one asking the question…
2. I’m an Anglican and Anglicans don’t do “quiet time”, we do the Daily Office. We place great importance on this discipline and time has proven it’s value…and I still struggle to be consistent in it. Life doesn’t ask what your schedule is or how you’re feeling before coming at you with issues that demand your attention…
3. There is no question that regular times of prayer and Bible study will strengthen you spiritually if done well…but I would like to suggest that ‘knowing Jesus” can be better accomplished by another discipline…practicing the presence of God…
4. It is a theological and existential fact that, if you are a believer, Christ is present wherever you are because you are in Christ and Christ is in you. I would submit to you that it is in acknowledging and embracing that reality that real growth in Christian discipleship and “knowing Jesus” happens…even if you miss your “quiet time’…
5. I don’t get to know Jesus just when I’m able to do the Daily Office…but I acknowledge that He is with me as I give thanks for the medications that keep me going and as I serve my mother and others, not just in the morning but throughout the day…until I sum up that day in the Evening Office…when I indeed practice in believing He is present, life becomes one long prayer…I really can “pray without ceasing”…
6. When you know that wherever you are, Jesus is as well, you begin to understand that your vocation is holy…you bring Jesus into your work place and work space and present Him through your words and actions…knowing this also aids your sanctification….
7. Your life is your ministry…your vocation is holy…what you do and who you are matters…to people and the kingdom of God…exercising spiritual disciplines will aid you and equip you as the Word and Spirit minister to you…but sometimes after a day of “ministry” your quiet time may mean simply slumping into your chair and thanking God that He was with you and will never leave you…
8. Jesus doesn’t check your time card…this is a relationship,not a job…
9. When you do have time for directed prayer and Scripture reading…I commend the Daily Office and the use of prayer books…you will feel as if you’ve actually prayed, instead of trying to fill time and push through the book of Numbers…
10. I’ll just throw this out there…if you’re not using the Office or prayers books and simply want to read the Bible devotionally…the Gospels and the Psalms are where rubber meets the road…
Mornings…ugh. I begin my day by sitting up in bed and drinking water while trying to get my eyes focused enough to read a few Bible verses and pray. Nothing in-depth or extensive.
It takes about 30 minutes to convince my legs that they actually have the ability to move and support my weight. I can’t really take my morning med cocktail until I’ve eaten, so I force myself to eat for that reason only. I’ve never liked to eat early in the day. If I could, I’d wait til 10 or 11.
I’ve recently subscribed to a daily office email, but haven’t developed the habit yet. I pray pretty much throughout the day, including occasional singing.
CK,
My intent here was to remove the guilt trips.
It’s pointless for me to attempt to understand anything until my pain meds kick in…because all I’m thinking about is pain.
The evening office works better for me…and there are apps that will read both to you to pray along with…I need all the help I can get…
Wonderful thoughts, born out of the daily pains of living. I love your perspective, that “quiet time” is really not what all “quiet time” advocates say it is. I too practice the presence of God and am aware of His presence all the time. I am thankful to wake up each day, thankful for some time to have coffee, read for a few minutes, and check the news. For so many years I have quietly rebuffed those who try to impose their ridiculous convictions regarding Bible reading, prayer time, morning and evening devotions, and more. When the spirit wants to point out my spiritual deficiencies, he has a way of getting through! I remember hearing a pastor speaking at a conference say “If you’re not spending at least an hour a day in prayer, you’re backslidden!” I just about laughed out loud. I’ve gone through all the iterations of reading the Bible in a year, getting up really early to pray, and more. Practicing His presence is best for me. God knows each of us.
#2
When I was ordained a priest, one of my vows was to be faithful in saying the Daily Office. In good times and bad, it has served me well over the last 35 years…
DavidM,
I should have had you write this one…well said, my friend.
God treats all His kids according to what He knows they can receive…there is not just one way to grow in Christ.
Duane,
It is an amazing discipline…getting there…
I’m retired. My time is now my own. Like you, Michael, my morning begins with Tylenol. I too live with pain 24/7. I can barely walk. I’m in stage 3 kidney failure ( I only have 1 due to having the other one removed 10 years ago due to cancer) and cannot take any inflammatories, because they are hard on my surviving kidney, and most stronger stuff make me nauseous.
I am unapologetically, an evangelical (a bad word here on PxP). My day starts with reading the news, and on occasion, reading the scripture.
Though I am working thru a boat load of theological issues, and uncertain about many things in the Bible (it’s why I ask questions), I know He is with me. I don’t feel any more or less spiritual than anyone else.
I bank on the fact he loves me unconditionally (no strings attached) regardless of my questions and doubts.
Consequently, I don’t feel guilty for not reading my Bible every morning and wondering if prayer has any real effect.
One of the disciplines I need to start again is keeping a journal. I’ve discovered some that I wrote in the 80’s. Fun to see how far I’ve come.
Michael,
I still do a Quiet Time, but it’s divided between Bible study at home (early-4:30-5, once Felix is fed), and then prayer time in my car on my way to work. I spend a little bit of time at work reading a devotional and praying for specific students (I just go through my class lists). I am naturally an early bird (usually awake well before my alarm goes off at 4:30), and I do better with a scheduled time. By the way, I am at God’s ear all day, but just knowing that there is a time that I have schedule with Him helps me not to forget (my tendency to be busy makes me prone to be a true Martha). I do my QT a little different on the weekends, but early is still better than later (if there had been a female Eutychus, I would have been it! I’ve fallen asleep at more than one late night prayer meeting).
1. Quiet Times. Then there is the “life verse” – if you don’t have a life verse, well then…
I dont function well in the mornings, even if I have a good CPAP night. And why is it everything is “morning-orientated” … church, devotionals, etc.
We night owls are expected to get up at 5am, be wide awake, and then promptly invite drowsiness/falling back asleep because we have to do passive activities like sit in a pew for 1.25 hrs or sit and read. I would much rather atten an evening chuch service (good luck finding one).
Linn,
As long as Felix comes first, I’m good with your schedule… 🙂
Dan
Have you looked for a church that does a Saturday night service?
Dan,
I do Saturday afternoons….
Devotionally, God is open 24/7…
Michael,
I can’t do anything in the morning until Felix has had his breakfast!
OH…Seems like down here in Dixie, Saturday evening services are rare. Sunday evening services seem to be more common to IFB churches.
Michael…Do you do online meetings? I usually am working Saturdays, but shift time varies.
Dan,
I’m on Zoom for the duration…
Thank you Michael! Thank you for being real and down to earth; that’s what I like the most, openness… and often so close to my reality.
I’m visiting the kids ( actually grownups 🤓) in Georgia. The weather is beautiful and the house they rent is practically in a forest setting… I think every day: I should read the Bible or one of the 5 books I brought with me… But, I get lost in adoring God, thanking Him and talking with Him while enjoying the scenery, while cooking, sitting or walking, or raking up the leaves, or even spending time with the kids.
We are in His presence continuously and it’s so amazing when we realize that indeed He is in us and with us, when talking and thanking Him for every time He steps into the picture and with every little thing, like: the sun shining through a cloud, a squirrel crossing the road, a person being kind, another smiling … I see and feel His presence and His blessings in so many things. And then I realize, He opened my eyes to His wonders! It’s nothing new… but me, I was blind, and now I see🙌
In short… I prefer to experience His presence more than anything, and to hear His whispers!
Have a blessed evening Michael!
Elena,
That is a wonderful word…so glad you are getting some long overdue refreshment!
All those wonders will do more to make you a disciple than all the reading you can do…
Elena that is so encouraging thank you.
Thank you Michael for these very very helpful thoughts. Especially #5 and #7. I’ve finally managed to memorize Psalm 23 and it really helps when anxiety starts to creep in.
Some words from Brother Lawrence (The Practice of the Presence of God):
“He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.“
JoelG,
That quote is important for us to embrace.
I see more and more teachers putting demands on people spiritually that become just another burden to bear in an already burdensome life…we all need encouragement to understand that His yoke is easy and His burden light…
Thank you Michael and thank you JoelG.
I love Brother Lawrence’s letters, read the book years ago (a couple of times).
Life is so simple! Why do we complicate it?