Imagine a perfect quiet time moment. You know the one. You're at the seashore, in the mountains, all alone, with a loved one, it's quiet, it's musical — whatever! It's your moment!
I know one of mine. My husband and I were strolling through the cobblestone streets of San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, and I leaned over the stone walls and peered down the verdant hillside trying to capture a photograph of something or other. And I spied this angelic bench under some trees in a meadow away from anything and everything. Minutes later I was sitting quietly on this bench in the Tuscan countryside and I had a perfect quiet time moment. And I go back there often in my mind to pray and commune with my Lord. You can, too!
It's your perfect quiet time moment to get away from the pressures of a frantic world. A world where impossibilities seem to bombard us and clutter our minds until we can't seem to see one step in front of us much less discern the next big step in our life's journey. It's our paralysis by analysis!
Well, imagine stepping away from it all for just a little while — a perfect quiet time moment.
Jesus encourages these reflective, meditative times in our lives. He sets the example for us —
The news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
Luke 5:15-16
Jesus had an extremely busy life and ministry, but He made it a priority to find quiet time moments to pray. What about you? Is quiet time with the Lord a priority or an afterthought for you?
I have found that my quiet time with the Lord has been the key factor helping to cope with stress during some of the most difficult days I have yet experienced in life. My quiet time has gotten me through devastating loss and impending depression, persistent illness and loss of hope, financial downturn and lack of resources. But God has been faithful to encourage me with His Word in every quiet time moment and comfort me with His promises. Everyday, as I sit alone with Him, I find my anxious heart calmed and my worries turning to a new trust in God.
Have you found this eirene, peace of God (Philippians 4:7), in your quiet time moments? The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon defines this Strong's eirene as "the Messiah's peace, the way that leads to the peace (salvation) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with his earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is the blessed state of devout and upright men after death." That's real peace — the peace of God. Something to be sought with great enthusiasm, isn't it?
So today, dear friend, abandon the many good things for the one good thing. Seek out a perfect quiet time moment with your Lord. You will find that He is everything you need for every circumstance of life. Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest a little while (Mark 6:31 WMS).
Lord, today we thank You for the wonderful gift and invitation of quiet time alone with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Blessings ♡ Grace
