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People. We are used to multi-tasking, having our minds and lives firing in five different directions. At times we DO find ourselves on overload. When we do, what do we tend to do? And do well? Criticize ourselves. I am reminded of a time when I sat among a small group of gals in a Bible study setting. In that discussion time we were sharing our goals for the study. There was a mother of 4 small children who always need her attention.
In her frustration and complete weariness, she shared in depth about not having enough time for daily devotions and Bible study. She felt defeated and was basically giving up. Those in the group kept trying to help with creative ways to carve out enough time. Go to bed earlier, get up earlier, or even when they napped. This young mom was nearly in tears. I just sat and listened. This group was more worried about the quantity of time, rather then the quality.
I finally leaned forward and looked the gal in the eyes, lovingly and tenderly asking, “Could you look at maybe ONE verse each day or one verse for the whole week?” She stopped talking. So did the others. I’m sure they thought I was nuts – how could one verse be enough?
I then shared that it’s not the quantity of time with God and His word that is important, it is the quality. If you have just enough time to read one verse, then take that ONE verse and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to YOU about that verse. You, God, and His word – now you are IN quality time. Listen – listen for HIS application. If need be at the beginning of the week, jot down that verse on a 3×5 card, tape it to the mirror in the bathroom.
Don’t get me wrong, I love deep Bible study, but there are seasons, seasons when time captures us. Seasons when even with discipline our plate is full.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Allow the “alive word” to minister to you. One verse?
Enough?
Yes, it is with the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear. The Psalmist wrote “Oh how I love Your law, I meditate on it all day long” (Psalm 119:97) Meditate means to reflect, pray, and cause your thoughts to return again and again.
I once spent days just on Thomas’s “… my Lord and my God” (John 20:28) I didn’t research – I didn’t cross reference, just focused on “My Lord and my God.” Knowing the context, I thought about it, I said it, I pictured it, and prayed it. It was amazing. T
God knows us, knows our heart, (He does know when we are being lazy or undisciplined) but He knows those of us, whose season doesn’t allow for hours or minutes of “head in the book” sessions. Don’t stress, don’t feel condemned, if we can give Him just ONE verse of HIS word, He can minister to us. It can be amazing. God is the God of our NOW not someday.
DeDe Southwick is mother of two wonderful sons, two lovely stepdaughters and a sweet granddaughter. She resides outside of Portland, Oregon with her husband, Mark. She enjoys gardening, making her guys laugh, and a hardy theological geeky-looking book. She and Mark enjoy ministry as a team, he the solid calm strength to her silly geeky side. You can find her blog here.
People. We are used to multi-tasking, having our minds and lives firing in five different directions. At times we DO find ourselves on overload. When we do, what do we tend to do? And do well? Criticize ourselves. I am reminded of a time when I sat among a small group of gals in a Bible study setting. In that discussion time we were sharing our goals for the study. There was a mother of 4 small children who always need her attention.
In her frustration and complete weariness, she shared in depth about not having enough time for daily devotions and Bible study. She felt defeated and was basically giving up. Those in the group kept trying to help with creative ways to carve out enough time. Go to bed earlier, get up earlier, or even when they napped. This young mom was nearly in tears. I just sat and listened. This group was more worried about the quantity of time, rather then the quality.
I finally leaned forward and looked the gal in the eyes, lovingly and tenderly asking, “Could you look at maybe ONE verse each day or one verse for the whole week?” She stopped talking. So did the others. I’m sure they thought I was nuts – how could one verse be enough?
I then shared that it’s not the quantity of time with God and His word that is important, it is the quality. If you have just enough time to read one verse, then take that ONE verse and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to YOU about that verse. You, God, and His word – now you are IN quality time. Listen – listen for HIS application. If need be at the beginning of the week, jot down that verse on a 3×5 card, tape it to the mirror in the bathroom.
Don’t get me wrong, I love deep Bible study, but there are seasons, seasons when time captures us. Seasons when even with discipline our plate is full.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Allow the “alive word” to minister to you. One verse?
Enough?
Yes, it is with the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear. The Psalmist wrote “Oh how I love Your law, I meditate on it all day long” (Psalm 119:97) Meditate means to reflect, pray, and cause your thoughts to return again and again.
I once spent days just on Thomas’s “… my Lord and my God” (John 20:28) I didn’t research – I didn’t cross reference, just focused on “My Lord and my God.” Knowing the context, I thought about it, I said it, I pictured it, and prayed it. It was amazing. T
God knows us, knows our heart, (He does know when we are being lazy or undisciplined) but He knows those of us, whose season doesn’t allow for hours or minutes of “head in the book” sessions. Don’t stress, don’t feel condemned, if we can give Him just ONE verse of HIS word, He can minister to us. It can be amazing. God is the God of our NOW not someday.
DeDe Southwick is mother of two wonderful sons, two lovely stepdaughters and a sweet granddaughter. She resides outside of Portland, Oregon with her husband, Mark. She enjoys gardening, making her guys laugh, and a hardy theological geeky-looking book. She and Mark enjoy ministry as a team, he the solid calm strength to her silly geeky side. You can find her blog here.
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