Quiet times are so important and so effective. But, let me warn you of a few things:
It will take a while for the impact to become evident to you. A close relationship with someone is not automatic, even if that someone is God Himself.- There will be periods of time when you are greatly impacted by your quiet time, and times when you feel nothing at all. Again, every relationship goes through highs and lows. If you feel God is distant from you, remember that He is not the one that has moved…you have. Ask Him to reveal the issue to you and continue to pursue Him the best way you know how.
- Like anything else, it will take a while before a regular quiet time feels “normal”. But once it does, it will be something you long for in a way that also doesn’t feel normal!
- After you’ve gotten into a regular routine with God, don’t stick with that routine forever. Mix things up a bit in order to allow God to give you a fresh perspective on Himself.
Here is the ultimate warning, but the most amazing truth:
- If you are faithful to pursue God in this way, He will almost certainly reveal things to you that are unwanted, unexpected, uncomfortable and unconventional. Are you really ready to hear from Him? Are you really ready to have Him challenge you in places that you least expect?
I have one more post in this series. It is the story of how a regular time with God impacted a dear friend at Grace Point last year. Look for it in a couple of days…
