I Just Don't Want Superficial Quiet Times Anymore

Currently, I am part of a 4-month training program called “School of Worship”, where God has been taken me deeper in my relationship with Him as I continue to learn about the heart of worship and how to lead others into His presence.

A highlight this week was about intimacy with God. What does intimacy with God look like from day to day? Sometimes we can think that spending time with God is only reading a quick devotional in the morning or maybe sitting down at the table reading the Word, but it can be more than just that!

I’ve come to realize lately, the way I was “spending time” with Him had grown very superficial and rushed. It came to a point (literally a couple days ago) that I had to stop myself and reflect on what I was feeling about when I would spend time with Jesus. I needed to admit that I was in a dry season even though I’ve been serving full-time this whole year.

Imagine I’m getting to know a friend and the only thing I do is read quick text messages every morning, but I don’t call my friend or don’t meet up in person… I don’t invite my friend to just do life with me - maybe for a deep talk at a coffee shop or running errands, going on a drive/bus ride together, etc. How can I expect to grow closer to this person I’m calling a “close friend”?

Many times, I find myself in the presence of God by just commuting. I really enjoy exploring and going to new places (or the same places) in Hong Kong and I LOVE riding on the double deck buses. It’s one of my favorite things to do. It usually takes about 1 hour to get home (and I get super dizzy if I’m on my phone while on the bus) so I just spend time thinking, reflecting, and talking to God while listening to worship songs or instrumental music (usually jazz or “hipster” stuff). My prayers are not super deep, they don’t include fancy Christian words, but it’s gotten to the point that I really just want to share my heart with God, even when I’m doing the most simple things during the day.

I learned that I’m a visual, aural, social, and solitary learner (you can take your learning style test here!) so it helped me understand the way I learn and receive things into my head and my heart.

I realized that I couldn’t just stick to “reading the Bible at my desk with coffee” every morning… I was really running dry while expecting beautiful, intimate moments with God by doing this. I don’t like sticking to only one way of doing things - rather I love trying new things and connecting with God in many different ways. I realized that I enjoy spending time with God while walking in nature, exploring in the city, creative moments using art or music, and especially journaling, whether I’m typing or writing by hand. Ever since I was 20, I’ve been filling pages and pages of journals and it’s so cool to look back and see what God has done in my life so far.

I stumbled upon “The Modern Mary” website on Pinterest and it shares

10 Things You Should Start Tracking in Your Prayer Journal”

People and ministries you pray for daily or almost daily–family, friends, church, missionaries…

Answered Prayers – keeping track when prayers that you’ve been praying are answered

Dreams and visions – sometimes passing thoughts and dreams hold a lot of truth, but they are so easy to forget.

Meaningful scripture verses that come to mind during prayer – or when a verse catches your eye when you’re reading the Bible. Maybe there is something there that God wants you to see.

Praises – capture all of those “Yay, God!” moments

Scripture verses for specific situations – for example:prayers for a friend in the military, or scripture to remind you of God’s faithfulness.

Confessions – sometimes you just gotta put it all out there. Was my heart pure? Was I wasteful of my time or money? Did I depend on myself or God?

Personal needs or the needs of others that only God can fulfill – in other words – miracles!

Thanksgiving / Gratitude – in my journal, this one always ends up as a “thank you” note to God.

List of people who haven’t yet received the Lord as their Savior – not as a way to separate or shame them. To me, this is the most important page in my journal–our pastor says, “these are the people God misses most”

I’ve also learned that I really need to grow in setting a special intentional time with God during my day. I’m not sure yet how it will look like, but God knows my spontaneous personality and I’m secure in His love, no matter what my quiet times will look like going forward.

The journey continues. I’m learning to not be so desperate or anxious about the destination but to really enjoy the journey. To have that hunger and deep love for my Lord Jesus and be excited to set time apart to worship Him, tell Him everything, and create with Him.