Within this humdrum world we live in, I have found that sometimes it becomes very difficult to get away from everything that is going on and spend some time with God. I ask myself why is this so? There always seems to be something occurring in my life that distracts me from getting away by myself and being with God. I’m sure everyone can relate to my experience.
I was recently impressed by the following extract from a book written by Doris E. Kizinna called Go Deep: Spiritual Practices for Youth. On page 47 of the book she offers a suggestion about how we might make an appointment with God. I hope Doris’ words might be helpful for you.
“Look at your calendar for the coming week and book an appointment with God. Schedule at least one session of personal spiritual practice during the week. If this is a completely new experience, consider starting with one 15-minute session and working your way up to longer and more frequent sessions in the weeks to come.
“Choose a time of day that works best for you – perhaps first thing in the morning, or last thing before bed, or afternoon tea with God. Choose a time that you can commit to. It’s up to you to set the time frame when you need to encounter God. Be intentional. Set the space. Make it comfortable, light a candle, have a journal and/or Bible nearby.
“Choose a practice to engage. Sing if a song comes to you; pray out loud if a prayer comes. Sit in silence if that is how you are called to be. Focus on intentionally immersing yourself in the way of God for the time you have given yourself. You may want to start by grounding yourself by breathing in and out a few times and saying with your breath: ‘I am here. God is here.’
“Commit to some weeks of this practice. At the end of that time, notice what is different about you. Journal about what you notice.”
Our lives can very easily become routine and unexciting with all the everyday things that seem to crop up on our daily calendars. That is why it can be so beneficial for us health-wise to get out and away from this everyday life, if even for a short time and say, have a holiday. I believe this maxim also rings true for our spiritual lives.
I recall reading about a well-known English deist, Anthony Collins of the seventeenth century, telling about meeting up with a man on his way to have an appointment with God. Collins was out walking one day when he crossed paths with a commoner. “Where are you going?” asked Collins.
“To church, sir.”
“What are you going to do there?”
“To worship God, sir.”
“Is your God a great or little God? Asked Collins.
“He is both, sir.”
“How can He be both?”
“He is so great, sir, that the heavens cannot contain Him; and so little that He can dwell in my heart.”
Collins later declared that this simple answer from a man who had an appointment to meet his God had more effect on his mind than all the volumes he had ever read about God, and all the lectures he had ever heard.
Jesus offers the invitation to you to make that appointment: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28 NRSV)
Bill Gillard