I had planned to post yesterday. I even had the entire post typed up and ready to go. But I couldn’t move forward. So, here I am today, with a different post written not out of my own thoughts but with what God gave me in prayer. I have learned that whenever He stops and redirects me, it’s in everyone’s best interest that I be obedient. For anyone reading this that isn’t a believer, I hope that you’ll understand that this post is not intended to be exclusionary. God wants everyone to spend time with Him - even in uncertainty and doubt.

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone Matthew 14:22-23 (NIV, emphasis added)

Have you spent quality, intimate time with God recently? No, not during your Lenten service or prayer circles. Not during your devotional reading or while in the car or shower. Not during bible study or listening to Christian podcasts. Those occasions are all great, and needed. But have you actually spent quality time with God? I mean that time where there are literally no distractions - no background noises, no people around, no computer, no reading, no agenda - just you and God.

Intimate time with God looks exactly how you want it to look; you can talk or be silent, cry or laugh, lie down or stand up, keep your eyes open or closed. Posture and details don’t matter, as long as the focus is on God and only God. Because this is the space where the wholeness of restoration, peace, and joy that we so desperately seek lie. This is where you get to rest and relax. This is where negativity, chaos, and pain are shattered with just one “Thank you, God.” This is where you are reminded that God has done so much for you, and He will continue to sustain you. This is where the words that you have frequently read “I am with you” become a breathing, living reality. This is the space where we forget about the confusion of the world. This is where He can speak the encouragement that we need to continue fighting. This is where healing begins.

We find ways to arrange distraction free times in different areas of our lives as we need them - romantic date nights with our spouses, massages and spa days, retreats, and so on. But we fail to schedule in time for just us and Him. Sure, we do our morning devotionals and read the bible. We pray on our way to work, and we attend church services. All of that can be correctly counted as necessary moments with God. But intentionally intimate time with God, with no one and no thing around, is a different kind of time.

I didn’t understand the importance and power of this time until, well, until I actually did it. And yes, there are still occasions where I neglect to shut down and go to Him. But, when that happens, I can feel the void even more and am reminded of just how critical it is. Quality, intimate, distraction-less time with God is self care. It is a key component to happiness, peace, and renewal. Please believe me when I say it can literally change your life. Try it; don’t worry about what to say or how to do it. Try it again; it takes time to feel comfortable in the space. Get back to making it a part of your routine.

Have you?