We often let so many practices of our faith slip between the cracks after so many years of being a Christian. We sometimes feel “mature” enough to go without consistent habits like fasting and observing the Sabbath, which we adhered to when first coming to the Lord, a perpetual excuse of business and distraction.
For me, daily time with God is one of the first to go, right up there with fasting and memorizing the Word. Starting your day out with God not only dispels the instant chaos assaulting our brains within a minute of consciousness - finding the school permission forms and impending deadlines - but places everything under God’s authority. It is trusting him to see you through every circumstance, knowing he is celebrating with you through the minor successes of the day, and letting him know he’s Lord. It’s amazing the difference quiet time makes, though I’m not sure why we’re surprised how spending time with the creator of the universe could positively impact our day. I’m a more patient mother, a more positive staff member, more effective ministry leader, and I’m even nicer to my putrid cats when I start out with the Lord.
I believe the number one way to be your “best self” is by remaining close to God. You + God = a better version of you. And everyone: the hubby, the kids, your employees, and the snarky school secretary you almost assaulted during last month’s estrogen surge, really do agree.
Whenever friends share about being frustrated at home (or anywhere, really), I always ask how their quiet time with the Lord has been. Especially parents with young kids, because it’s so hard to find a quiet anything, let alone an actual sliver of time spent in the Word and prayer. After having two babies in under three years, I went without dedicated quiet time for years. Sure, you pray during the bi-weekly shower or in the car when your thoughts aren’t massacred by fighting, but without personal time with God, we’re doomed. Looking back, I wonder if I consider those early years the hardest of my life because I wasn’t a “baby person” or because I wasn’t a spiritually strong person.
It makes total sense when you think about it. When you’re with God, you manifest His characteristics—patience, long-suffering, kindness—did I mention long-suffering? And you’ll be much more equipped to handle your assistant calling out “sick” for the third Friday in a row or your son telling you his report is due tomorrow. And he needs pictures. And the printer’s out of ink. At times like these, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” translates to not crashing your car in fury driving to Staples for tricolor economy ink. That quiet time dose of II Peter might just have saved you.
It’s so easy to convince ourselves that we’re spiritually mature enough to make it days, even weeks, without extended, dedicated times of being in the Word and prayer. It is just another crafty lie from the enemy that affects our inner peace, loved ones, and home life more than anything. Reserving alone time for God can seem nearly impossible when you’re sleep-deprived or a working full-time parent, but it’s worth it.
We might have been awake at five, and the house clutter could pass for an ADT security billboard (Don’t let home invasion happen to you!), but God still wants us to make time for him for our own good.
Even if you only have quiet time in your car, praying and worshiping, and then reading an online verse when you get to your cubical, do what you can to make it happen. In a time when distractions and chaos seem at an all-time high, I believe the key to having the best 2024 possible is by committing to spend more time with the Lord. This means literally dedicating time each day to quiet our hearts, being still in silence, praying, and, most importantly, listening to what He has to say.
When we take time to be still and soak in God’s presence intentionally- not when we’re in the we not only receive direction, but we’ll receive all the other benefits from His presence that make such a difference in our lives.
When we’re in tune with His heart, we’re simply more grounded and focused. We’re reminded of how much we’re loved and how precious this life is, and we become more of the person we’re meant to be. Somehow, all the things that matter rise to the surface, and the “things of the world” take a more rightful, lowly place in our hearts and minds. The problems, irritants, and stressors in life diminish, and we’re able to operate above the fray, not distracted or tempted by the things that come against us by the hour, if not minute.
And how can they not? How can marital tension, or that pending deadline, or financial strain undo us when we’re in constant communication with the one who has power and victory over every area of life? They really can’t exist in the same space.
It can be tempting to skip out on quiet time when running the kids out the door every morning and falling to our pillows like bricks on cement, muttering “night Lord,” if that. Some days, it’s bound to happen. But if we really want more breakthroughs, changes in habits, and victory in areas we’ve been praying about for years, we have to commit to being still and hearing God’s voice.
We might have to give something up to make the change, like no email or social media before 9 am or one less episode during the evening, but it will, of course, be more than worth it.
I am praying for a year of abundance, freedom, and victory for us all in 2024.
Jessica Kastner is an award-winning writer and author of Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet. She leads Bible studies within juvenile detention centers with Straight Ahead Ministries and offers unapologetically real encouragement for women at Jessicakastner.com.