What do I do?

For much of my 20's, I always worried that I was using my own thoughts to interject what God was really telling me. I never fully trusted God's voice or allowed myself to listen. As a result, I had faith, but it never really went anywhere. What happens in a relationship when only one person is texting, calling, trying to make plans? It is not the deep, meaningful relationship that it could be, for either of you. The same thing happens with God. If we're only willing to meet with Him sometimes, or don't really yearn or try to hear His voice, nothing much exciting is going to happen. Think of it just as any other relationship that you have to invest in, spend time with, and make some effort. You will quickly see that it is the most important relationship you ever invest in.

But how do we even do that? How can you invest in a relationship when the other person...can't be seen or even audibly heard? Meeting and hearing from God is not as mysterious or difficult as it first sounds. You need a few simple supplies, a quiet heart, and time.

A few simple supplies:

First, get a bible. Any bible is fine, God doesn't care. If you want help in understanding it (umm, I need help!), I highly suggest a study bible of some kind. I have the Life Application Study Bible, and it explains who the people are in the bible, shows maps, and explains how what is written applies to life today, for almost every single verse. I recently pulled it back out and was reminded just how helpful it is. You also want to consider the translation * type of the bible- there are many. You might expect the "thou shalt not" style of writing (King James version), but there are many more newer translations that are written with current language that also help make it more understandable. Translation versions are really a personal preference. If you're not sure, the New International Version (NIV) is a good place to start. The reason for the bible is to show us how God established His nation (Israel), and how He then flipped things upside down and sent Jesus to save the world- to save everyone. No idea where to start? That's ok- we'll get there. You may hear the Bible referred to as the living, breathing word of God. If you don't feel it comes alive for you right now, don't worry. All good things take time.

For quiet time, I like a supplemental reading resource to help me learn and understand more thoroughly. It can be a devotional that is just a couple paragraphs, or it can be a book with long chapters. Check out my reading list (not sponsored or endorsed, just authors I love) to help you get started. As you read, there will be scripture quoted, or perhaps verses that inspired the devotional for the day. Look those verses up in the bible. This is the beginning to understanding the word. Rather than just read them in the book, when we actually open the bible and read from there, you are starting to breathe in the living word, and usually, you'll end up reading more than just that one verse. That is good! It will give you context and help you see more. If you have a study bible, you'll start to see multiple perspectives of interpreting what it all means.

I highly suggest a journal for quiet time. Even if you're not a journal-y type. Write down the verses that you encounter. Write down your thoughts. Write out a prayer list. This is for your eyes only, so it doesn't have to be perfect paragraphs or worry about correct spelling. There have been studies that show that writing can potentially reduce stress. I like to doodle, add stickers, use markers, and just do whatever my heart is feeling in that moment. More importantly, as you start to hear God's quiet voice (not audible, but in your spirit) write it down. With our busy lives, we tend to forget about the quiet, still moments and rush past them. Having a journal records those moments and will help you recall them when you're just not feeling it.

A quiet heart:

The whole premise behind quiet time is exactly that....quiet and time. It needs to be quiet to hear God's gentle whisper...

Elijah had had a major victory by defeating the prophets of Baal and proving God to the one true God (1 Kings 18:16-40). However, Queen Jezebel was furious, as all of the prophets of Baal had been killed. Jezebel was now threatening Elijah's life, and he ran, terrified. He fled to the desert, alone, hoping to die, rather than face Jezebel's wrath. God spoke to him there.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12

Did you notice it? Even the verse itself is simple...after the fire came a gentle whisper. God did show miraculous events in the Old Testament. But He would still use a quiet voice. And now, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us understand what God has spoken. Before Jesus was crucified, He was speaking to His disciples.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

God speaks to us, in our spirit, through His spirit. If you accept Him as your Savior, His spirit is within you. When I encounter God speaking to me through quiet time, it is always gentle. Always loving. Never harsh, never angry or mean. He does correct us and discipline us, but He is always kind. But you can't hear a whisper when there is chaos around you, loud noise, distracting commotion. You have to get to a quiet place. Furthermore, you have to quiet your mind. This can be difficult at first, but don't worry too much. It will come with practice. When you notice your mind going to the day's tasks, tomorrow's meeting, or your general worries, bring them back to God and what you're reading. And imagine Jesus smiling at you, just loving that you are taking a moment to meet with Him.

Time:

I know the word time is like a nemesis to our culture today. We don't have enough time for anything. Enough time for our projects at work. Enough time for exercise. Enough time for sleep! But God requires our time if we really want to know Him. He is quietly waiting, hopeful for each day to share with you. Did you catch that? He's not condemning you for not meeting with Him- He's hopeful that He will be able to meet with you. Start to get creative with dedicated time with Him. You may have to set your alarm a little earlier. Perhaps you meet with Him after the kids are in bed, instead of turning on the TV. Yes, it does require a little sacrifice on our end. But the reward will soon show for itself. Start with a little reading, a little journaling, a little praying. Pretty soon, you won't have enough time to do your other obligations because you will be amazed with how God shows up!!

I want to take a pause here and mention God's grace. Don't feel like because you don't meet with Him every day that He is mad at you or that you're a failure (I have perfectionistic tendencies so this hits me a lot). I had a really good routine going for a couple years, where I got up about 45 minutes before I had to get ready for work so that I could have enough quiet time. It was so good. So fruitful. I was so connected to what God was teaching me and wanting me to do, like to start writing (a blog, a book, something!) Then, I had a baby. And that whole routine got knocked out from under me. And I couldn't write that blog or book. I couldn't wake up 45 minutes earlier because I was so exhausted from a newborn. You know what God showed me? Not anger for getting off routine and finding it hard to meet with Him. Not condemnation for not being able to start writing. He showed me love. Grace. Understanding. Quiet time is to help you understand God's true character for yourself, not what others tell you. So just get started, do what you can, and God will show up.