Quiet Time Revolution – Not Resolution

I hate New Year’s Resolutions. In my life, they’ve been consistent reminders of my ability to FAIL. (Humph)

So, a few years ago, I stopped making resolutions altogether and started searching for smaller goals I could conquer. The most important one being:

How would I meet Jesus every morning to focus my heart and mind on His presence that would then secure our connection throughout my waking hours?

During the past few years, I can say without exception, Jesus has met me in a powerful way each time I’ve quieted myself before Him, and that peace has revolutionized my days.

I’m going to give a couple of digital resources first, but don’t stop reading! The one I’ve loved MOST is a book you hold in your hands!

Revolution #1

A few years ago, I felt really convicted to read all the way through the Bible. I hadn’t done it in years, and I knew the Lord was calling me to do it–but I didn’t have time in my day (so I thought) to add an hour or more each morning to read chapters and chapters of Scripture.

PLUS–I get sidetracked when I read the Bible. I’m so passionate about studying Scripture, that I see something interesting, I’m compelled to look it up in a Bible dictionary or a lexicon or–well, you get the picture.

A friend suggested I choose a Through the Bible Plan on YouVersion’s Bible App and LISTEN to Scripture. “Does it count when you listen?” I asked. 😀

We laughed at my legalistic bent, and after listening through the first week of Genesis, I realized it DOES count–as long as I kept my mind from wandering.

How did I keep my mind from wandering? By keeping my hands busy. I incorporated listening to my Bible with getting ready for my day. Showering, getting dressed, makeup, etc. It’s all mindless stuff that could be filled with focused time with Jesus.

Listening to the Bible still counts as Bible reading–if I’m paying attention!

And hearing HUGE chunks of Scripture read at a single time was mind-blowing! Remember, God’s Word was handed down through an oral tradition. Its accuracy depended on the ability to speak it, remember it, and repeat it to future generations. Taking in large chunks of it at one time was a new and exciting adventure!

Revolution #2

After listening to God’s Word that first year, I was ready to share the experience with a group. For the next few years, I was part of an amazing group of folks who walked through the Bible together every single day–through the YouVersion Bible app.

Some of those folks I’ll only meet in heaven, but we came to know each others’ hearts on a spiritually deep level through daily Bible reading and sharing what it meant to us. It was a profound and meaningful experience, and the group continued even after I left to begin a new routine in 2021.

The accountability of an online group was FABULOUS! There was never any overt comments to shame or embarrass if someone missed a day or two–or a month. But there was a genuine sense of, “I gotta get that done,” and knowing I’d be missed if I didn’t comment on that day’s reading. Sometimes, we just need that self-applied peer pressure to keep us motivated.

Revolution #3

Here it comes . . . keep reading . . . to discover the revolution that has forever set aside New Year’s resolutions for me–or any other sort of “plan.”

As my 2020 YouVersion group plan was drawing to a close, I felt the Lord tugging at my heart. After three years with my precious group of daily Bible readers, it was time to crawl into my Heavenly Father’s arms for some alone time. I had no idea how difficult 2021 would be–and how very much I would need Jesus’s individual encouragement through His Word.

But where do you even begin to look for that year-long focus? How do you decide on a devotional book or specific Book of the Bible to study?

Devotional Dilemma

A dear friend of mine has tried many devotionals and always comes back to the pinnacle: My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers (my Amazon aff link takes you to the imitation-leather journal edition). If you’ve never read this one, and you love devotionals, My Utmost For His Highest is the time-tested, grand-daddy spiritual superfood of all devotionals.

New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp (my Amazon aff link to the hardcover) is a more recent release (2014) but already has nearly 10,000 reviews with a 5-star average.

The wildly popular Jesus Calling: Experiencing Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young (my Amazon aff link is to the original 365-day devotional) now has a ba-jillion variations for kids (girls and boys editions), for Christmas, leather bound, padded cover, etc.

But here’s the thing:

I’m a stickler for spending time with the Word in His Word, so a devotional would only have been icing on the cake for me.

The Resolution Buster

The ESV Illustrated Bible Journal (Crossway, 2019) (NOT my Amazon aff link–because christianbook.com was sooooo much cheaper) revolutionized my time with Jesus in 2021 because it helped me limit the verses I read and my journaling space.

How can limiting Bible reading and journaling be a good thing?

Keeping it short was soooooo hard at first–but very powerful.

• It helped me meditate on: Every. Single. Word.
• It forced me to consider what was most important before writing it down–either as notes on the Scripture (left-hand page) or in the space provided for journaling and/or drawing (right-hand page).

Last year I did Genesis. This year, I want to do a New Testament book–Hebrews–to alternate my reading between the Old and New Testaments so I don’t get bogged down.

3 Reasons Studying a Single Book of the Bible Was Helpful in 2021:

1. When life and schedules felt out-of-control, the short passages felt manageable to my tired brain.
2. It was an exercise of faith each day to sit quietly and trust that I’d gain something meaningful from such short passages. My faith grew as Jesus proved His voice loud and clear every morning!
3. I chose to do just the Book of Genesis for 2021, which dovetailed nicely into my writing project (Potiphar’s Wife) and gave me insights I might never have seen had I not studied it so carefully. I chose Hebrews for the same reasons–it contains lots of Old Testament references that will apply to the Daughters of Terah serial novella I’ll be writing for my FictionFix subscribers.

Suggestions For Your Quiet Time Revolution:

Many things that worked for me might not work for you at all; however, maybe there are a few principles that could help you find a successful daily pattern to meet with Jesus in a meaningful way. Here are a few thoughts to ponder:

• The “NB-NB” Rule – While beta testing a video parenting study called, Raising Passionate Jesus Followers by Phil and Diane Comer, I discovered the “NB-NB rule” (pronounced, nub-nub) that they instituted in their household from the time their children were old enough to read: “No Bible, No Breakfast.” I decided that would be a great rule to start using on MYSELF!
• Don’t worry about what “counts” for me–devotional book or Book of the Bible. Ask Jesus to guide you into the best and most sustainable plan for YOU. Consider your time, concentration level, resource availability, etc. and then give it a try! If your first effort doesn’t work–try something else! DON’T GIVE UP just because you miss a few days. Keep trying new things until the doors of heaven open wide, and you know you’ve met with your Savior!
• Be willing to ask for help. Get a partner that will hold you accountable. If you’d rather not join or start a digital “group” like the YouVersion studies I mentioned, then find a friend or family member who wants to check in periodically. Hold each other accountable for that essential daily quiet time with Jesus.

Today’s Question:

• What works best for you to maintain a daily, meaningful quiet time with Jesus? Time? Resource?
• What’s the biggest deterrent to your daily quiet time? Any resolution can be broken, but by God’s grace and power, how can those obstacles be overcome in 2022?