With any relationship, spending quality time is important. That is no different when it comes to our relationship with our Lord. Spending time with God teaches us to discern what are lies and what is truth and gives us discernment over the works of the enemy. Most importantly, when we spend time with God and are in His presence, we can live in freedom. No matter what happens in this lifetime, we know that we have a good shepherd who leads us and loves us.
Why Spending Time With God Is Important
Growing up in a country with the majority practicing Buddhism, I often see monks meditate in stillness for hours. Sometimes even for days. The monks were extremely dedicated, seeking peace and truth elsewhere but in vain. I often feel guilty thinking about their dedication to a false god when I think about my lack of dedication to the One true God.
When I first started practicing spending time with God, I often got restless and distracted sitting still. As soon as I would sit down and put away all the things that normally engaged me like my tablet and phone, I suddenly felt sleepy. And when I tell myself to focus, my thoughts wander off to some trivial tasks, and those tasks suddenly become urgent.
I thought “I can’t be alone in this”. I struggled to be in the presence of Him who gives real peace and truth. But after the initial struggle with my flesh, I realized how I could have gone so long, as a Christian no less, to put off spending time with Him. I wanted to share the utter unexplainable peace and insight that it brought. So here is some truth to remind us why we need to implement sacrificing our time and attention to spend time with God.
Spending Time With God Gives Us Direction For Our Lives
Since we accept Jesus into our lives, our daily walk with Him can look different. We may face different challenges and be in completely different seasons of those challenges. Jesus told us that we will have trouble in this world. So why would we want to face the troubles of this world alone when we can have the presence of Jesus to overcome whatever it is that we’re facing?
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 (NIV)
Spending time with God is how we understand His will for our lives and learn to hear His voice and instructions. Before every major decision, men and women throughout the Bible fasted and prayed before the Lord. They sought direction for what to do. Esther fasted and prayed before she decided to go see the King despite her doing so is against the law (Esther 4:16). Daniel and his friends pleaded with God for King Nebuchanazzer’s dream to be revealed (Daniel 2).
Even Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane to seek God’s will before He had to face His biggest challenge (Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus ran to our Heavenly Father and spent time with Him in order to get the closure and strength He needed to face what was to come. If that was the case for the Son of God, who had no sin, it is much more the case for us, who are sinners. We need to seek God and do so earnestly and sincerely. Because the Holy Spirit can speak to us but we can’t hear Him when we don’t ever give the time.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” - Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Spending Time With God Teaches Us What Is Truth And What Are Lies
We know that we have a spiritual enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. We often downplay or forget how evil our enemy’s intentions for our lives are. The good news is that we’re covered by the blood of the Lamb. Our souls will forever be protected by Jesus’s sacrifice and our acceptance of this truth. However, the enemy will not lay low or leave us alone while we still live in this sinful world. The enemy will look to tell us lies, convince us that those lies are true by integrating some truth from our weaknesses until we live in doubt of God’s goodness.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10 (NIV)
Spending time with God reminds us what is truth and what are lies. The lies that the enemy feeds you will most likely be in an area that you feel weakest. For me, it is the feeling of not being good enough. That feeling could be triggered by anything if I don’t consciously recognize that it is a lie. It could be something like someone sharing they received a promotion at work. Instead of being happy for them, I would suddenly feel like a loser. I would have negative self-talk about my abilities and how I’m not worth anything. Other people’s success made me feel like a failure by contrast.
But by spending time with God and learning His truth, I saw that those toxic thought patterns do not come from Him. I have allowed decades of feeling inferior and constantly comparing myself to others to feel good. The truth is, everyone’s life and calling are different. But He certainly does not call us to live a life of lies or half-truths. And the truth is that He has a plan for each of our lives. If we can only learn to submit to His will, it will always be good.
Spending Time With God Allows Us To Live In Freedom
I’m sure that if we were to list out all the benefits that come with spending time with God, it would be a very long list. But the one thing we all want is a life of freedom. It could be freedom from oppression, anxiety, worry, fear, self-loathing, and whatever else that binds us. The good news is that we can live in freedom from all those things. How? The Bible says wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. - 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIT)
But we cannot experience the spirit when we’re distracted by the things of this world. And the world certainly offers so many distractions from what’s going on in the news to what’s trending on social media. You can find yourself spending ten minutes in prayer and your flesh may feel restless to get back to what you want to do. Meanwhile, you may be able to scroll for hours online without realizing the time. This is why the world is full of empty people seeking fulfillment in things that cannot give them what they need.
God’s spirit gives freedom and that freedom allows us to live in peace. This peace is different from anything else that the world can offer because it comes with the Prince of Peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27 NIV
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you for your reminder and calling to spend time with you. I admit that my flesh likes to fight when it comes to spending time with you. I often get restless and easily distracted. Help me so that I can overcome the desires of my flesh. Teach me your ways, discern truth and lies, and value the freedom and peace that only you can bring. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
Recommendation
Knowing God starts with knowing His Word. If you don’t already own a Bible, there are many churches that give one for free. You can also download a YouVersion Bible App. Or if you’d like a physical copy, it can easily be found on amazon.