I wanted to write about things that have helped me dive into
God’s word during ‘Quiet Times’. This is my daily time of reading the bible and
praying, a practice I learned shortly after I accepted Christ in college. This is not a post to share or brag about
what a good person I must be for having quiet times, but simply to share things
that have helped me over the past few years. I have had misconceptions
about quiet times in the past, have come to times where I have gotten stuck and
in a rut, and there have been seasons where I have been inconsistent or not had
them at all.
These last few weeks I have been digging deeper on what it
looks like to not only ‘skim through’ God’s word (as I often do) but to receive
all that God intended it to be. For it to be life-changing, mind-transforming, life-altering and everything else God
promises it can be. I want that and often I don’t receive that and wonder
why. Whether it’s that I’m too busy, inconsistent, etc- I want more of God and
less of the world… and somehow I have ended up a little bit more on the worldly
side.
For the last few years I have my quiet times during my son’s
afternoon naps. As they have gotten older their naps have turned into ‘quiet
times’ for them to play in their room. Because as a friend recently shared- Jesus may have been a morning person, but I
am definitely not a morning person! I have never been able to be consistent
with getting up early in the morning before the day begins.
But over the last few months, afternoon quiet times haven’t
been consistent and when we do have them- the kids always have to go #2. Like
clockwork! It’s as if the word ‘go to your room’ triggers something in their
brain to find a way to get out of it. Particularly my somewhat recently potty
trained three year old who is still learning how to go to the bathroom. This wasn’t working anymore and something
needed to change! I was spending more
time scrolling through my phone out of convenience rather than reading God’s
word. And I have a feeling that excuse will not hold up in heaven.
As of a few weeks ago I decided to set my alarm for 6am to
have a good uninterrupted quiet time. Although I haven’t been perfect, for the
most part it has worked really well. My days are so much different when I make
the effort to meet God before the day begins.
Here are some of the items I use read quiet times:
-
Jesus Calling Devotional- This is a short daily
devotional with a ‘letter’ from God’s perspective and a few bible verses
related to the devotional. It is a wonderful way to get started for the day!
-
Prayer Journal- I started mine in 2011 and
continue to write in it. It looks very much like this one but in pink. You can
make your own with a small three ring binder or buy a new one at this adorable
etsy shop
-
Travel Bible and Celebrate Recovery Bible- Just
the bibles I use. I love the CR bible because it has countless testimonies
throughout.
-
Journal- Just a regular journal to write down
thoughts for the day.
-
Gratitude Journal- I have started writing down
things I’m thankful for at the end of the day again. (using just a small three
ring binder).
-
Prayer Journal- A place where I take bible
verses for each family member and write it out to pray over them. Or if I’m
struggling in a certain area I will pick specific bible verses to pray over it.
I don’t go through all of these daily in case it seems like
a lot of stuff. What has been the most helpful life changing thing for me
recently has been using the SOAP method on a bible verse..
S: Scripture (write out the verse)
O: Observation (What are the facts observed from the verse)
A: Application (how does this apply to my life)
P: Prayer (Write out a short prayer based on the verse)
Although it takes more time, I have really enjoyed using the
SOAP method. It has helped me tremendously in not just reading through
something when I’m tired and groggy in the morning, but to really dive into God’s
word.
If you have any suggestions on things that have helped you during quiet times I would love to hear it. Hope this post was helpful to you as well!
