Problems with "Quiet-Times?"

I've personally experienced a lot of struggles over the years when it comes to finding consistency and fulfillment from a daily quiet-time with God. Yes, as a pastor, I'm confessing that quiet-times as I was taught to do them just don't work for me. Often times, I haven't even been motivated to do one either. I've went in spurts of being consistent in the routine of quiet-times throughout my entire journey with Christ, but I've finally reached a place where I'm experiencing an abundantly satisfying walk with God unlike ever before. What changed? I had to realize two things that actually go against much of what I was taught about having quiet-times with God...

#1: I can't put God in a box an expect to truly experience Him.
Here's the problem with quiet-times as we typically teach them: They are often disconnected from a continual, rhythmic interaction with God... The Holy Spirit's movement in our life can't be restricted to a certain "quiet-time/set aside" moment of our day. God is to be experienced and interacted with all day long.

For those of you who are married, think about this... Can you imagine if you told your spouse that each day you'd try to give them 15-minutes (or 30 if you're really good), but as for the remaining 1,400+ minutes throughout the day, you probably won't pay much attention to them. I don't know about you, but I'd be building my own dog house in the backyard. (I'd have to build it because we don't have a dog).

God wants your entire life, not just your quiet-time. This is what Paul's referring to in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 when he says, "Pray without ceasing." Our conversation and communion with God should be happening all the time. At work, in the car, playing with our kids, etc. While our times of solitude are important and essential, the stereotypical "quiet-time" can be very misleading and disappointing if we think this is our good deed or act of obedience for God.

#2: My "quiet-times" were self-centered.
I'm a selfish person. I don't know about you, but it's just my nature even with spiritual things. I'd open God's Word thinking "What can I take from this?" I'd pray my prayers according to how I felt. Lately though, God's been showing me that these times of solitude have to be all about Him and what He wants to say. I've had to learn to be still and know that He is God. Instead of having a preset agenda, I'm learning to listen to the Holy Spirit.

What does this look like? Well, typically throughout my day I'm living with the expectation that God wants to speak to me. After all, He is my Father. He is not the author of confusion. He wants me to know Him and His desires, so I'm eagerly anticipating Him speaking to me. When He does, I'm trying to listen and process. I want to learn and allow Him to adjust my behavior to be more in line with who He is and what He desires.

In response to this, my "quiet-time" is then a time of solitude where I can further process through what He's already been speaking to me about. Sometimes this leads to praise, comfort, and joy, but other times it leads me to repentance. I noticed when I'm setting the agenda for my quiet-time (or some pre-planned devotion is doing it for me) I tend to do very little repenting.

These two realizations have brought and continue to bring an abundance to my walk with God that I've never experienced before. I hope you'll take a few minutes to wrestle with what I'm saying because God wants you to experience Him in a non-structure, natural, intimate, way! Don't miss out any longer!