Tell me if you recognize this scenario.
You sit down with your Bible to have your quiet time and as you begin reading the scriptures and it’s just what you needed to encourage your soul and then BAM…you remember you need to pick up some lettuce at the grocery store. What? Where did that come from?
You go back to reading and then it happens again, you remember that you need to return a phone call. You pick up your phone and see that you missed 3 phone calls.
Stop! Focus! Seriously, why is this so hard now?
I get it. What could only take 30 minutes often turns into an hour because I cannot stay focused.
Lord, help me!
I’ve found a few things to do that have actually helped me to make the most of the time I spend with the Lord.
1. Start off with prayer and a deep breath. This will quiet your mind. It can be hard to quiet down the noise in our mind that often pulls us away when we are trying to focus on scripture and prayers. Prayer redirects my thoughts back to where they should be. When I pray, I ask the Lord to quiet my mind & my heart and give me understanding as I read his Word. It helps to keep me from making this something I just check off of my to-do list. I’m sitting at the table with my Lord to feast on the goodness he has for me through His Word. I need to make the most of every moment he gives me to do this.
2. Silent your phone. As much as possible, I have my quiet time first thing in the morning with my first cup of coffee. So, typically my notifications are already turned off, but not always. This keeps me from checking my phone when someone text or calls me. I have to be very careful though because I often use an app for my Bible readings because I like to listen to it. I don’t go anywhere on my phone except that app. If that is still too much of a temptation don’t use any apps during your quiet time. When I am prepping to teach Bible Study or to speak somewhere, my phone is not within grabbing distance. I need to focus and it is just too disctracting.
3. Have Post-It notes or a notepad close by. When those random thoughts do come, write them down. That helps to get them out of the way. Sometimes the Lord will put certain people on your mind so you want to remember to pray for them and possibly contact them later. Write it down and move on.
I know this is only 3 things. There are so many more I could offer, but if you start with these 3 then you will find for yourself other ways to help make your time with the Lore more productive & effective.
They say it takes at least 21 days to create a new habit. Commit to doing this for 30 days and see if that helps you have a more focused and meaningful time with the Lord.
Dana Bailey 