Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
What is a devotional? Merriam-Webster defines it as a short worship service. I love this definition! Devotionals come in all forms these days. From beautiful, leather-bound books, to digital reading plans, to even podcast and YouTube videos. There is no shortage of options for believers to have guided time alone with God. But are we actually doing it every day?
Jesus came to heal our broken union with God that was destroyed by sin centuries ago in the Garden of Eden. What makes Christianity stand out from other pagan religions is that it is an intimate relationship. We are called far beyond a list of rules, traditions, and good deeds. We are being pursued by our Heavenly Father, the Almighty Creator to have a close, one on one relationship with Him.
Are we meeting with Him each day? Are we setting aside time for a short worship service to praise, repent, and seek guidance with the One who holds our lives in the palm of His hand? Do we spend more time in the mirror preparing our faces for the world than we spend preparing our souls for eternity each morning?
Sisters, this is a foundational essential in our relationship with God; time alone with Him. It must take top priority. There are seasons in life when it can be hard to carve out this time. I have spent many devotionals with a nursing baby, interruptions to help button a shirt, or even at the end of my day. Rarely can these times be considered quiet and meditative, but they are still important. I would say they are especially important when you are in a busy and full season. Do not let the lie that you are too busy creep in and steal this time away from you.
Psalm 25:4-5 & 9
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
When we spend time alone with God, he guides us and speaks His truth to us through His word.
Psalm 34:4-5 & 8
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
When fear, anxiety, and shame greet us in the mornings, time with Him recalibrates our hearts to the truth and His love. We are reminded of who we are in light of His goodness and refuge.
Proverbs 4:11-13
I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
When we don’t have the answers and things seem beyond our understanding, He is the One who grants His children wisdom and walks alongside us.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
When we are exhausted, weary, and burdened, it is in Him we find our true rest. He invites us to bring it all to Him and lay it at His feet.
No matter what season you are in, I encourage you to make a devotional time as a part of your day. As you create this habit, it will become something you look forward to and long for. If daily devotionals are already a part of your life, I encourage you to deepen your time with God with a reading plan, study Bible, or commentary to give you a deeper understanding of God’s word. Maybe you could add worship to your time alone with God or contemplative prayer. Let the Holy Spirit guide you this year. After all, He has already gone before you and knows exactly what you need for each day.
Below are some of my favorite devotional resources, along with a prayer, I encourage you to use as you seek to make time alone with God a goal for this year.
Prayer: “Father, I long to know you more. I ask that you teach me to understand your Word and how it applies to my life. Thank you for those who have gone before me and shared their stories of how Your Word changed them. Guide me to a reading plan, devotional book, or Bible study where I can spend a few minutes each day with You. Protect my time and give me the discipline to be consistent.”