You know you want to be a growing Godly Leader, but you also know that your daily quiet times are not often where they should be. How can a busy leader stay consistent in his or her daily quiet times? Here are three important keys:
KEY #1 – REALIZE THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF THAT MORNING TIME WITH JESUS.
Think of the last time you were late to a very important meeting. Maybe you were speeding to get there. Maybe you were running around like a mad person as you were going out the door. You were probably nervous, anxious, and maybe upset. Why? You realized the importance of that meeting, and you knew that you couldn’t miss that meeting for the world.
Every day we have that level of important meeting with Jesus. He’s giving us the guidance, inspiration, and direction we need for that day’s schedule. And, yet, way too often we blow it off. Godly Leaders know that it is essential to have that first thing time with the Lord in the morning.
In Mark 1:35, we read this about Jesus. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” Jesus needed that first-thing time with His Father to set the direction of the day and we do, too.
There can be lunch times and evening times for additional study, but I propose that starting the day off with a Godly focus and with Godly input for the day is essential. It was Martin Luther who said, “I have so much to do today, I have to spend an extra hour in prayer.” Wow, just wow.
KEY #2 – ADMIT THAT YOU DO HAVE TIME.
We all have plenty of time. We have time to look at fantasy football line-ups. We have time to read up on the news. We have time to scroll through social media. We have time to work out. None of those things are bad. But none of them are as important as time with the Lord.
There was an old Christian record label called 5 Minute Walk. I love the concept that we all just need, as Christ-followers, at least a five-minute walk with Jesus to start the day. Five minutes! In men’s small groups circles, I actually get a little crass. I’ll be bold enough to do it here to make my point. I tell guys at a minimum you can have a “dumping devotional.” You have at least five minutes every day where you’re doing nothing – make good use of it. Ha!
The point is that we all have five minutes to start the day – listen to Bible being read, pray in shower, get up 10 minutes earlier… and the list goes on. You have the time – admit it.
KEY #3 – ALWAYS HAVE A FIVE-MINUTE DEVOTIONAL OPTION READY.
My ideal quiet time is about an hour to an hour and a half. I’ll sit outside (by water, somehow, if I can), with a big mug of java, my Bible, and 2-3 books. I read an extended passage of Scripture, pray through my prayer plan, journal, and then read a couple of chapters of my books. Here’s the reality – I’m lucky if that happens one time a week! But, I have learned through a lot of error that I can’t make the ideal an ordeal when it comes to my quiet time.
My regular go to is Daily Step, the Bible Reading Plan Rolling Hills Community Church puts out. Here is a link. That is a good system, plan, and amount of time for most mornings. Pro tip: If you get behind a reading plan, don’t feel like you have to get caught up. Just pick back up on the next day, or don’t worry about the days and just pick up the next reading. We all fall behind, and the pressure to catch up has brought many Godly Leaders to a place of frustration and even shame.
However, I do have two devotionals that are five minutes or less for those extra busy mornings. I’ll grab one of them if I know I’m pressed for time so that I have that focus and direction for the day ahead.
As a Godly Leader, you are helping others be consistent in their walk, make sure you are in your life as well – it is essential!
We could talk a lot more on this topic, but we’ll leave it there for now. What are your thoughts or questions? Leave them in the comments. If you found this blog helpful or thought-provoking, please subscribe below to receive a new weekly blog in your email on Tuesday morning. Also, if you think this blog would be helpful for others, please share it on social media or tell a few friends about it!
Love being on this Essential Godly Leadership journey with you!
Essential Godly Leadership: “Leading your life, your family, your work, your relationships, and your world in a way that is seeking wisdom from, and pleasing to, the Lord Jesus.”