Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. (Mark 2:18-19 NIV)
It’s not supposed to be a chore. Yet … how often do we view it that way? We think to be a good Christian we “have to” pray and read the Bible every day. Approached like that, time with God is regarded with a bit of dread and maybe embarrassment that we even feel this way. Sadly, it’s often simply left undone. Everyone agrees in theory that spending time with God is a good thing, but how many feel in private that they are somehow missing the boat? Why is it so hard?
Perhaps, we’re looking at the daily quiet time through the wrong lens. Like the fasting Pharisees in the verse above, we see Bible reading and prayer as a time of somber denial, a ritual that has to be done, but dry as dust.
What if … we looked at a daily quiet time as a celebration?
What if … we made it all fancy and fun?
What if … we fixed our favorite beverage (coffee, latte, tea, sparkling water with raspberry)?
What if … we added a pretty candle or a favorite pillow or a dark chocolate-covered cherry?
What if … we put our feet up and settled deep into our favorite chair?
What if … we remembered this is not a “have to” but a “get to” meeting with the King of kings?
What if … we started with adoration, whispering to our Bridegroom how wonderful He is, remembering that He is Love itself and Shepherd and Merciful and Faithful and True?
What if … we whispered to Him before we read the Bible, “teach me,” and then trusted that He would?
What if … we really believed that the One who knows how many hairs are on our heads truly loves to hear from us and will be tender with us like with beloved children?
What if … we truly grasped that when we’ve sinned, nothing gives Him greater joy than for us to come to Him and admit it, so He can whisper I forgive you. I paid the price for that sin so you wouldn’t have to. You are free. Go and sin no more.
What if … we started believing that He is Abba, the good Father, who always has time for His children?
Wouldn’t that change everything?
I love what Jesus implied in Mark 2:19. When you are with your favorite person, it’s a time for celebration. How in the world can you fast when you are with the bridegroom? It’s okay to make your quiet time a happy thing. It should be a happy time. Of course, there will be days when you are in shock or crisis or grief. Then, you curl up, figuratively, in His lap and weep. But even then, what joy there is in knowing that you don’t weep alone. Even then, it’s a relief to come to the One who knows, totally, the state of your heart.
Somehow, we’ve taken what should be the most joyous part of our day—meeting with the One who made us and loves us best—and turned it into a chore. We’ve let the accuser, the devil, whisper lies about quiet times, telling us we’re never doing it right or enough. Meeting with Jesus and hearing from Him through His Word is an incredible honor and privilege afforded His children. God Himself with us. Seriously, there should be balloons and confetti. There should be giddiness and Wow! Whether we have five minutes or five hours with God, let’s make it special. Let’s meet God with expectation and joy!
Abba Father, thank You for Your gift of Joy! Thank You that when we are with You it’s a time to celebrate. Help us, Lord, to view time with You as the great privilege it is. Teach us, Lord, as we meet with You. Hold us, mold us, make us more like You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
You are loved,
Sharon
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision To encourage a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth that stillness and knowing God matter most—
and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
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