I’ll warn you up front – this entry seems to be a conglomerate of various thoughts, with no specific guidance, other than a common topic.
Part 1:
The other day over a few beers, the discussion centered around “quiet time” – sort of an umbrella phrase that seems to cover any sort of solitary communion (intimate fellowship or rapport) with God, whether it be prayer, reading scripture, worship or just quiet meditation on His word.
It seemed that for most, living out this concept was hard work. A discipline.
The point was also made, though, that it seems a lot easier for girls to have “quiet time” – I often hear girls talk about their daily/morning devotions, prayer time, et cetera.
To the girls: Is it really easier for y’all? If it is, then what do you think is the reason why? If it’s just as hard for y’all as it is for us… I guess I don’t have anything more to ask. But I’ll feel better knowing I’m not the only one struggling with this. 🙂
Part 2:
I pray at various times throughout the day, not by any pre-determined schedule, just as I’m feeling led to do so. I also often worship (typically singing, bad as it may be) – again, not by any set schedule, although a lot of this seems to happen as I’m driving around, be it in my truck or on my motorcycle.
While this isn’t necessarily quiet, and I might also be focusing on things like driving – does this qualify as intimate fellowship with God? Does it qualify as “quiet time”? The Hebrew worship of God, prayer and bible reading was FAR from a quiet affair, sometimes involving loud shouting.
Did we fall victim to the “God in a box” syndrom in our definition of terms or acts or whatever you want to call it…. ?
As a girl, I think I can speak for, well, basically just me. I have always had a hard time with a set quiet time. I try the mornings, I try the evenings, and I’ve even tried lunch time.
I have not perfected it, and generally, the same as the rest of my life, I’m really serious about it for a few weeks, then I wane. Then I start back up, then not… What I can say is when my life is falling apart around me is when I do better. When things are going great, I have a hard time.
No advise here, just a little encouragement, that you are not the only one, and yes, girls struggle too.
I think “quiet time” is a dumb phrase. I think “quality time” makes a lot more sense. Sure, you need to shut up and listen to God, but that’s a different deal I think.
When I am wanting to relate to a person, I don’t sit around them quietly and read their latest blog entry. I spend time with that person, and depending on my mood and theirs, this can look a zillion different ways. Sometimes it’s being quiet and watching a movie. Sometimes it’s going to dinner. Sometimes it’s going for a walk. But when I am with that person, I do everything I can to give them 100% of my attention, my heart, my eyes and ears, etc. That’s what makes it quality time.
Christ came so we could be free to worship him. I think means we are free to worship him as we are. He made us. He gave us our strengths, weaknesses, talents, personalities, etc.
Do I think time in the Word is important? Duh. It’s God’s love letter to us. Does that mean you have to sit for 15 minutes a day slicing and dicing it? I don’t think so. I’d rather let it slice and dice me. It’s living and active, and I’m broken and typically struggling. Just my two cents.
As for the girl thing, well, God gave certain stock characteristics to women that He didn’t give men and vice versa. Women happen to be a lot more talented at relationships in general, so perhaps what you’re seeing in women is them merely acting out that ability. That’s one of the many reasons why men need women. Women just have a better knack for relating, and can help men grow in that area. Men can help women in their relationships with God too, but I think those areas are different.
I’ve said enough. Good questions.
I definately agree with AnonGirl – I think that girls relationship with God and guys relationship with God are completely different. I have heard over the years that girls refer to God as their “boyfriend” in a vain attempt at creating some sort of romantic relationship where there is none, but that quickly fades once they are in a real relationship. As males, for all intesive purposes, we are the initiators of relationships so I think that is a format in which God relates to us.
In regards to Part 2:…
There are, in my opinion, many ways that you can spend time with God and they don’t all have to be “quiet”. I know how I have felt when I used to be out hunting. It was quiet and I felt like I was able to focus more on God and the world that He created for us to live in. I was able to enjoy the time and found it easier to pray at that time. Maybe because it was so quiet but it doesn’t always have to be that way. I’m sure, in a way, there are times when you are riding your bike that you are able to commune with God. Maybe if you take a long bike trip. I once had someone tell me that you don’t have to close your eyes to pray. For instance, while driving… you may be alone on your bike or in your truck driving and decide to pray. I do believe that those times could be considered “intimate” times with God. Our communion with God comes from the heart and not from our surroundings. The surroundings may help but if your heart is focused on God then I believe God will hear your worship.