Quiet Time, Time to Find God (Part 1)

Starting the day with quiet time can help keep our lives more watchful. The counsel and guidance of God’s word are what lead us so we do not take the wrong step, just as David said: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105).

Yet it cannot be denied that there are times when quiet time feels hard. It is as though we no longer have the longing to speak with God and listen to His heart. Instead of becoming an encouragement, quiet time becomes a burden. Even if we do it, it is merely because we see it as a routine rather than a delight.

When this happens, what attitude do we need to have and cultivate so that we can “find” God in quiet time? 

1. Willing to Seek God in Quiet Time

One time, my husband and our seven-year-old son were playing tag. Of course, our son was struggling to catch his father. But he did not give up and just kept running with his little steps. In the end, he managed to catch his father. Or rather, his father let himself be caught. 

Their interaction inspired me about our effort to seek God. How could we, who are so small, find God who is so great? 

When you call upon Me and come and pray to Me, I will listen to you; when you seek Me, you will find Me; when you seek Me with all your heart, I will let you find Me … – Jeremiah 29:12-14a

The Lord is pleased to be found when He sees the heart of His child who truly wants to seek Him. He will give Himself to be found if we come with deep longing. We enjoy our relationship with Him, want to see His face, and know His person. Not merely to fill our quiet time notes with new insights, but because our meeting with God becomes a moment we deeply enjoy. 

Our son so enjoyed their time together that my husband was glad and let himself be caught. That is a picture of our relationship with God the Father, namely the relationship of a child who always wants to be close to and play with his father.

When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing you think about? Seeking your own pleasure, for example by checking your social media accounts? Or do you truly want to seek and find God through quiet time?

2. Honoring God During Quiet Time

An attitude of honoring God will make quiet time a special activity. We do not do it carelessly because we are building a relationship with Someone extraordinary, namely God, the Creator and Owner of the universe.

If someone you greatly respect, say a public official, were willing to come to your house, what would you do? I think you would prepare the very best for that person. You would clean and arrange the house, provide delicious food, and welcome their arrival looking your best. 

It is only fitting that we also have this attitude when welcoming God in quiet time. How good it is for us to provide the best time, place, and atmosphere to enjoy our time with Him. Wake up earlier, wash your face, brush your teeth, and tidy your hair. If needed, playing instrumental music can also make the atmosphere of your quiet time more comfortable. 

The best quiet time is not about quantity, but the quality you create.  For some people, quiet time is not possible in the morning, so they do it during their lunch break or in the evening after work. Of course, this is not a problem, as long as you still give your best time and attention to God.

As the term suggests, ‘quiet time’ means you enjoy peaceful time with God. So avoid having quiet time while watching television, playing on your phone, or chatting, because that shows a lack of honor toward God.

3. Willing to Learn

Why are the followers of Christ called Jesus’ disciples? The word disciple is closely tied to learning. A good disciple is usually diligent in reviewing lessons, doing assignments, and even studying advanced material not yet discussed in class. This willingness to learn is something we too should have as disciples of Jesus. 

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” – Matthew 5:6

A person who thirsts and hungers for God always seeks to know what He is saying through His word. This person reflects on the word and pours the results of that reflection into quiet time notes. If there is something not understood, he will try to find the answer by asking a mentor or pastor, and by reading spiritual books and articles on blogs or spiritual websites.

By diligently digging into God’s word, surely our knowledge and conviction will grow stronger. You may have been a Christian for decades and have repeatedly read the Bible from beginning to end. Yet if you come to God with thirst and hunger, there will always be something new He reveals to you. 

4. Humble

The Bible says again and again that God delights in the humble.  As it is written in James 4:6b: “… God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Humility will determine how the word works within a person. Even though two people hear the same word, its effect will be different, depending on whether they receive it with humility or not.

A humble attitude does not come automatically, but needs to be practiced. One way is by admitting your weakness and acknowledging that you need God. When God delivers His message, receive it for yourself, and not for someone else. In quiet time, you are actually looking into a mirror and trying to know yourself fully through the lens of the word. 

There are still three more attitudes you can apply so that you can have a beautiful encounter with God in quiet time. Come on, continue to this page! 

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