DEVOTION - Make Time to Spend with God

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. – Mark 1:35 (KJV)

You know, I oftentimes hear some believers — believe it or not — say they want to spend time with God but find it difficult because of the children. I remember a past work colleague, a woman in the Lord, who told me there was simply not enough time to do anything outside of worship day. When she woke up, she had to prepare breakfast for her husband and children, get them all ready for school, drop them off, head to work, collect them again, make dinner, and put them to bed. By the time it was all done, she was exhausted. Too tired to spend time with God, she said.

I sympathised with this young lady and the reality of her daily routine — many of us know that feeling well. But it made me pause and reflect:

What would our lives be like if God ever felt too tired or busy to spend time with us?

The thought is almost unbearable — the chaos, pain, and loneliness that would overwhelm us if God ever withdrew His presence. Thank God He never does.

When I look at the verse above, I see Jesus, our perfect example, intentionally rising early to spend time with the Father. This is Jesus, who knew with certainty that His Father was always with Him. Still, He made time to retreat and pray. If Jesus did this, how much more should we?

The truth is, every day is a gift — and if our God walks with each of us every second of every day, surely we can offer Him five quiet minutes in return. Five minutes may seem small, but compared to 24 hours, of nothing it is a sacred offering.

Start today.

Find your quiet corner, whisper a prayer, and sit in God's presence. He's not waiting with a

stopwatch but with open arms.

Written by Angela Doreen July 2011

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