I have been thinking a great deal about the concept of the "quiet time" lately. I think the quiet time has fallen on hard times. Many Christians today are re-discovering the centrality of corporate spiritual disciplines. Within many Christian circles eyes are being opened to the reality that our Christian lives are not meant to be inward, individual lives of contemplation. I praise God for this!
Moreover, I believe there is a renewed sense in Christian circles that holiness is not synonymous with the amount of time we spend in prayer. Read Leviticus 19! Holiness is wholeness. Holiness is synonymous with a whole life devoted to God. I praise God for this as well!
One sad consequence that has flowed from the great movements mentioned above is the neglect of the personal spiritual disciplines. This is very sad. The Christian life is far more than your time alone with the Lord, but it is not less than that. We know that the spiritual disciplines do not change us. However, they are a means for beholding the face of Jesus Christ so clearly in front of our eyes that we are changed by him.
2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."
The purpose of the devotional life is to be alone with the Father and by the power of the Spirit to see him in the face of Christ in the gospel. When we behold Christ we will grow in holiness. Therefore, I think it is a sad thing to try and disconnect the personal spiritual disciplines from the call upon the Christian disciple to be holy.
So, that brings me to a question: What is your devotional life like? Would you mind describing it for us? How would you like it to grow? I'll post my usual practice soon!
P.S. Remember that the gospel is always our motivation and our starting point for the spiritual disciplines. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that your discipleship is in anyway your grounds for having a standing before God! We are justified by grace apart form works of the law!!!
4 comments:
I'd describe my devotional life as somewhat of a battle field. You see my "get things done" personality battles quite thoroughly with my desire to see God full faced.
Checking the quite time off the list is for me quite tempting, however like most things spiritual it's hard to define and end or completion of ones quite time and so the battle rages. I utilize Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" I find it challenging, direct and Christ-centered. It's a great addition to your time with Jesus for a thrifty $3.99 at some places. Time reading through about a chapter of scripture a day to soothe the appetite for chud to chew on and some good old a.c.t.s. prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication)
The occasional driscoll or Piper sermon is always tasty when time allows and currently Rick James' "Jesus without Religion" has me by the throat and heart.
All of the above consitently aid me in seeing Jesus Christ full faced.
This is my devotion.
Nick, did you get a chance to listen to any of the interview? Thanks for posting and for being so honest. I miss you bro.
I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, however I do plan when time allows. Perhaps this afternoon if somethings free up.
Mine is scattered. I read for about 10-20 minutes from about 5:50-6:10 a.m. before I go to work (been going through the prophets lately). I pray during my drive to school; I've been reading "The Passion of Jesus Christ: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die" over my lunch, and that is an absolutely phenomenal book. I've been trying lately to read more at night, but sometimes I don't get home until dinner time or later, and I'm just pooped. I've also been reading "True Spirituality" by Schaeffer. It's amazing how those two books about topics I've known about for years are so profound.
I'm in a discipleship class at my church, and recently we went through 2 Timothy 2 hardcorely as an assignment, and that was awesome. I definitely love studying the word; but it's so frustrating since the only time I have to do such a task is at 7:00 at night after I've been up for 14 hours already, and I've hardly spent a minute of time with my wife. At least this year I've been able to persistently get up earlier than last year; that has helped.
I think my biggest frustration, since I really don't have that much "free" time, is that in the evenings it feels like I'm deciding between mental relaxation, time with Lila, or time with the Lord.
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