It seems like the weekends go by in the blink of an eye anymore. The weekdays do not seem to be much better as they are just filled with various events ranging from daily work routines to multiple events the children are involved with.
My family was blessed to spend some time with my past students a few weekends ago, a set of brothers. In exploring our options, we decided to go out to eat failing to realize that it was a busy night, the restaurant was packed. So many couples trying to spend some special time with one another as the week has finally ended, and my wife and I looked at each other as we were waiting to be seated with five kids.
As I reflected on the moment, it made me realize that from the moment my alarm clock goes off at 2:45 a.m., the chaos of the day begins. So much of the day can consist of work, children, and just life. The majority of the time I spend with my wife seems to exist through text messages, brief phone calls, and car rides to and from different places. When we do get some alone time, it just enhances the level of our relationship and deepens our connection with one another. Lately, the challenge has been learning not to become so lost in the surroundings and everyone else that we lose intimacy with one another. Learning how to be intentional about the time to spend with one another is a continuously developing process.
As these thoughts were running through my mind at night, I could feel the Holy Spirit pressing me. It was then when I realized that my prayer life was called into question in regards to the time I was putting into it. At first, I could not make much sense of the conviction I was feeling, but as I continued to be still and wonder, it became apparent to me what the Lord was laying on my heart.
The Lord, our God, desires to be in relationship with us, His creation. Even as fallen people the Lord wants to connect with us, just as he did in the garden. In Genesis 3:8 it states: “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”
One thing I have become good at it seems is praying on the run. I have unfortunately become good at praying quickly, and sometimes I am not sure if it is done intentionally or to meet an obligation if I am to be completely honest.
To be completely straight forward, I sometimes have to check myself when I am at work and say am I praying for God’s blessing on this meal and to give thanks or did I rush through it so I can eat. It is not always easy to have to self-evaluate and admit something like that or even write it. Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 says, ” Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This is where I seem to have most of my prayer life exist. I have my most substantial part of communication with God through short points of prayer, as it is needed continuously.
Just like my wife, however, the short conversation does not fulfill need for closeness that exist, and God desires a much more intimate relationship with us. In the best terms I can think of, God wants that one on one time, a set date night or time with Him so to speak.
In reflection, I see how Jesus models this so perfectly, as He not only prays to the Father often and openly but then spends that quiet, intimate time with Him as well.
Mark 1:35 “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Jesus demonstrates the importance of being alone with the Father to pour His heart out to Him. There is something intimate about alone time with the Father that allows for full communication of our souls onto God as Guzik would put it.
When we are willing to set that time apart, the Father is ready to show up and meet us there. He is not late nor absent when it comes to a date with us but instead desiring for the time to come. When reading Exodus 33:11 “The LORD would speak to Moses’s face to face, as one speaks to a friend” at the “tent of meeting” it is overwhelming to know that the Lord our God is willing and waiting to do just that and meet us when we are ready to set time aside for Him.
So, I ask, when is your next date with the Father?
~ Frank D.