"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

I'm taking a break from having a quiet time. Because sometimes I can get in a rut. Even with good things. And having a daily quiet time is a good thing. Until it becomes more about routine than actually connecting with God.

When God becomes routine rather than revival, it's time to switch things up.

Otherwise, I might start seeing this time as less important. It becomes the second or third thing I do. After other things. Seemingly more pressing things. Before I know it, it's been days since I connected privately and personally with God and His Truth.

And then my soul feels a bit off and sluggish. Like when my stomach has been denied food, a desperation starts creeping over other parts of my body. That happens with soul hunger too.

Only the triggers for stomach hunger are much more apparent. My brain quickly reminds me, "You feel awful because you need to eat."

Sometimes my brain isn't as quick to pick up on soul hunger. So I just lumber forward but wonder, "What's wrong?" I think of a list of reasons - I'm tired, I haven't had enough fun, or my hormones are off.

And while some of those things may be true - it's not why my soul is depleted.

I need more time with God.

Not more quiet time.

More listening time. Like the writer in Psalm 63:1 needed. "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." (NIV)

Recently, as I sat with God with nothing but willingness to listen, some fresh ideas popped into my mind. So these are 3 new ways I'm listening to God:

Give my first thoughts to God by giving Him my first 5 minutes every day.

I downloaded the First 5 app and read these Bible verses and teachings before I check anything else on my phone. I ask God to help me apply what I'm reading to my life that day. I listen.

Read something from someone I admire.

I need to study leadership in this season of my life. So, I pick up a book written on this topic by someone I admire and glean from their godly wisdom. I listen.

Read something from someone I trust.

There's a book I'm reading right now that is whimsical and grounded all at the same time. It makes me feel like this writer gets me. They get my struggles and offer up advice I know I can trust. I listen.

Maybe you think all this still sounds like a quiet time, but to me it's different. It's a listening time. A time to shake things up a bit and get outside my normal routine. A time to listen to God speak. And He does speak - through His book of wisdom, through someone I admire, and through someone I trust.

And this morning? My soul felt that thrilling and comforting full feeling. Complete. Satisfied. Deeply nourished.

Dear Lord, my deepest desire is to grow a stronger relationship with You. Help me to break out of the routine so that I can connect with You and hear You speak. I want my faith to be the most reviving and energizing thing about my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (NIV)

James 4:8a, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (ESV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

Following Jesus can become more like a revival than a routine! Be equipped to stop reading the Bible just to check it off your list and start experiencing God's Word in a deeper way with a FREE resource from Lysa TerKeurst. Download "3 Bible Study Basics You Must Know" here.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

Are you getting in a rut with your quiet time?

Ask God to show you how you can breathe new life into your time with Him. Also consider downloading the "3 Bible Study Basics You Must Know" above to more fully experience Scripture in a way that brings revival to your soul.



 

© 2016 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.