Time to Connect

Dave and I are on the road for the next week or so…and we are on the road together a lot.

That got me thinking of the time we drove to Canada.

We were together for six days—joined at the hip!

In the car.

In the hotel room.

At the conference.

Eating. Sleeping. Driving. Learning. Ministering . . . together!

On our first morning back at home, while I was having my quiet time, Dave came in and smiled.

“Good morning! Let me get my coffee and sit next to you. We haven’t spent any down time together for a while.”

Had he not remembered the previous week in which that was all we did?

Honestly, at first I thought, Argh, I do not have time for a meandering conversation or meaningful togetherness right now! I have to unpack, do laundry, take a friend in for a colonoscopy, pick up something for dinner, write my Bible study leaders to see how they are doing, finish my blog, and make a dessert for tomorrow night!

I do not have any more time for you!

Fortunately, the Holy Spirit helped me see things from his perspective.

Time

Dave could have been sick of me because he couldn’t get away from me!

Instead, he chose to pursue more time with me to connect—even though he had a lot of things on his own to-do list.

At the heart of any relationship is the time spent together when it’s accessible, not just when it’s convenient.

It’s about spending time working out solutions to problems and spending time just being, just talking, and just enjoying each other’s company. For any relationship to work, we have to put in the time.

Whether we are Velcroed to kids all day, swamped by coworkers’ questions, or connected at the hip to our hubbies, the time we invest in our relationships is what makes them work.

Together with God

That applies to our relationship with God as well.

He wants us to spend time with him when it’s accessible, not just convenient.

And he’s always accessible.

There is no such thing as too much togetherness with God.

For a deeper connection with God, set aside a time most days (if not all) to read his Word.

It will reveal his love for you, and his character, and will speak to your situation. Even when it feels inconvenient, it’s time well spent. You don’t have to read for an hour; you can do a little bit most days.

Read a chapter a day.

Ask Siri or another device to read you a story from the Old Testament while you do your makeup or drive to work.

Don’t look at this reading (or listening) as a chore. Think of it as a date to look forward to.

You are loved and wanted

Spending time in God’s Word and in prayer assures you of his love and acceptance. It fortifies your faith in his ability and willingness to intervene on your behalf. It establishes you as worthy and significant.

What are you reading these days to strengthen your relationship with your Creator?

Exodus is one of my favorites– reading about Moses and the courage he mustered to serve God as he led the Hebrews out of Egypt. As I’m reading, I’m hearing God whisper to me that, as I follow him, he will equip me for the tasks he calls me to.

How about you?

Are you giving him the time of day?

Are you quiet long enough to hear his still, small voice whispering to you?

Does he feel close and affirming or distant and aloof?

He wants a connected togetherness with you.

Pray this week for a heart that is hungry and thirsty to be with God.

Verse

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” —Psalm 27:13–14

Prayer

Father, I want to know you better. I want to believe more. I want to be able to trust you fully. Put a “want to” in me to spend time with you as often as I can. In Jesus’ name, amen.