MARYARTHA

You are so many things to so many people – wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cook, nanny, driver, homework director, laundry-woman, shopper, student, employee, boss, pastor’s wife, head counselor, children’s church leader, and choir director! You are on the go from 4.30 in the morning until 12.30 am on ordinary days, and on your feet around the clock on high days. You feel as if you dare not relax, and think everything will fall apart if you stop even for one second.

You used to spend at least thirty minutes in “quiet time,” worshipping and praying at Jesus’ feet every morning, but you cannot even remember when last you had five minutes to yourself and if you did, sitting quietly is the last thing that came to your mind. You know the things that occupy your time are results of your answered prayers. You say, Lord, “I want to sit at your feet, but who is going to cook dinner?”

You cannot go on this way. God’s Word says “in Him (Jesus) all things hold together” (Col 1:17 RSV). He is the Center. Without Him, things will fall apart one day. You cannot keep running from pillar to post without stopping to reset the Compass of your life. You cannot keep tossing up and down on the waves of the sea of life without an Anchor. Your ship will run aground! You cannot keep on without taking time to be still in His presence.

Phil Driscoll’s “Falling in love with you” is an all-time favorite song of mine. The trumpeter’s raspy voice croons “I just set aside the troubles of this world, and fall in love with You again.” Jesus said “Only one thing is needful and Mary has chosen the better part” (Luke 10:42 KJV). One thing only.

You need to schedule one thing above all else. Your Quiet Time. Evidently, anything you don’t schedule does not get done. Fifteen minutes before everyone is awake and the morning rush begins (if you are a “morning person”). Fifteen minutes at night when everyone is asleep and all the rush is over (if you are a “night person”). You can start with just fifteen minutes a day and see how it goes from there.

You need a space for meeting with Jesus. A favorite chair, a corner on a rug, a room, any space except your bed (where you will surely fall asleep again), will do. Place your Bible, your devotional, a journal and a pen nearby. (Few things are more disheartening than searching for your bible or a pen when you come to spend time with Jesus). There are so many different kinds of devotionals that you are sure to find one that is just right for you. “Open Heavens”, the RCCG devotional is an excellent one.

The devotional will point you to the scripture for the day. Open that scripture and read it very carefully, twice. Know that God is speaking to you as you read. Not only does He know your past, your present and your future, all your times are also in His able hands. Often He will speak to you through the scripture about a present challenge, sometimes He will tell you about something in the future. Sometimes He will advise you how best to do something, sometimes He will tell you secrets. Every time, you will know that He loves you, and is working out the best for you. After reading your Bible and hearing God speak to you from His Word, go back to the devotional and see what God said to the devotional writer about that scripture. Sometimes, it will be the same thing God said to you, many times it will not!

After Bible reading, it is time to pray. Time to adore God, confess your sins, thank Him for what He has done and talk to Him heart-to-heart. Let Him know too, what you plan to do in the day – He sometimes has special instructions or advice for you. Use your journal well. Write down your prayer requests. It is always exciting to see how God has answered the prayers you listed, and you can refer to those answered prayers whenever you feel He is taking too long to answer your new requests. When you finish, thank Him. He is the God of heaven and earth, but He loves you enough to stop and spend time with you.

David said “One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after, to behold His beauty and inquire in His temple.” (Ps 27:4 KJV) Time spent with God is time invested wisely. You will see the returns in every area of your life.

Pastor Oluwatoyin Fafowora, Jesus Embassy Los Angeles.

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