A few years ago I started a morning habit that has had a profound impact on my life. It wasn’t an easy habit to establish, but it was desperately needed. My soul needed space from all the noise of this world. My life was flying by at 100 mph and I was not in the driver’s seat. I needed quiet time. “Quiet time” sounds so elementary. Even as I type, I am tempted to dismiss how critical it is for me as a father, husband, employee and (most importantly) a follower of Christ, to spend quiet time to reflect. Since starting this routine, this quiet time has grown tremendously. My quiet time is early in the morning when the demands of the day have not yet started. The world has not come alive and it is dark outside. The smells from the coffee brewing are absolutely wonderful. My mind is allowed to simply think about the day before me. Did I honor God in my work? Did I serve my wife and make her feel beautiful? What about my children? Did I build confidence in them? Am I spending too much time at work? Am I spending enough time with my family? What kind of thought patterns are happening in my life that are unhealthy? What about today? What do I want to accomplish today? What priorities need to be addressed? What about the fellow employee who I have a strained relationship with? How will I show him love today? During this quiet time so many questions are answered and truths are exposed.
God gently points out areas in my life where I need His leadership. He gives me the courage to respond with love instead of anger. He gives me the strength to love and see my wife the way He sees my wife. He points out areas where I am being selfish with my time and encourages me to invest that time with my girls. Most importantly, during this quiet time God sets the reset button. Today is a new day. Everything starts over today. Yesterday’s failures are an opportunity to succeed today (and I have plenty of failures each day). I cannot fathom the amazing opportunity we receive each day to start over. But here is the thing. It is hard to push the reset button when you never stop in the first place. Check out what the bible says about spending some quiet time alone:
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence,
for the Lord has laid it on him.
Lamentations 3: 25-28
Here is my challenge this week:
Carve out 10 – 30 minutes each day this week for quiet time. I have found that 30 minutes is best, however start with whatever time you have available. Turn off all electronics and unplug from the world. Here are some suggestions if this is new to you. Read the Bible and pray. Ask self-reflective questions about your life (I found some great questions that I am going to start using this week, link listed below*). I strongly recommend recording your thoughts in a journal. Most importantly listen for what God wants you to hear. By the way, if you are not into this whole Christian thing, do not dismiss creating a habit of quiet time in your life. I promise it is a game changer!
*14 Questions Every Christian Leader Should Ask Themselves
