Time Well Spent: Nurturing the Soul in Daily Rhythms
As I sit and reflect on my spiritual disciplines, one reality stands out above all: the reality of time. To truly give myself to practices that cultivate a deep connection with God and a strong inner world, it takes time. That is both a great sacrifice and a paradox for me, especially as a driven achiever. Thoughts of all that I could “accomplish” inevitably arise in my times spent alone with the Lord. Hopefully, these thoughts of striving for outer productivity will weaken over time as my mind is renewed and transformed. Yet I recognize that, given my disposition, there will likely always be some resistance I must contend with.
Even so, I tell my soul: “It is worth it!” The time and mental energy spent aligning my heart with God’s heart—abiding in His presence, worshiping Him, listening to Him, and reading and studying His Word for my own growth, not merely to prepare a lesson to teach others—are of utmost value. Though I continue to work towards not needing recognition from others, I also know that this investment produces far more internal and external fruit than the same time spent in human striving ever could.
So I speak to myself, “Commit yourself, oh soul, to this!" Do not let a day pass without a deep, intimate connection with the Lord. Nothing else carries parallel importance. Begin to see with the eyes of heaven.”
Sanctifying Time for God
A question I often wrestle with is this: Lord, how do I set myself up for the greatest success in this pursuit? How do I sanctify time in my schedule to achieve it? I’ve realized that the key is to work with the way God has naturally created me. For me, this means reserving time in my schedule for connection with the Lord when I am most alert and able to engage. For me, that hour is the morning, immediately upon waking.
I have considered using this time for other cognitively demanding tasks. On one hand, it seems reasonable—time with the Lord is not as mentally taxing as some other work. But the truth is, if I give that first morning hour to anything other than direct connection and abiding in God, I have less energy and focus later when I do choose to engage with Him. I also miss more opportunities to connect and lose consistency. History has personaly taught me this lesson, and I strive to remember it.
Choosing What to Pursue
Another struggle is determining what to pursue. There are countless spiritual disciplines and practices that seem meaningful and important, but trying to engage in all of them would consume my entire day. How do I choose what to prioritize, for how long, and with what frequency? Should there be a plan, or should I simply let the Spirit guide me each morning?
I’ve found that the answer lies in the season. God is a God of seasons, guiding me through different phases of my life. What is required in one season may differ from another. My responsibility is to be faithful to what He calls me to in the season I find myself in, while maintaining an ongoing, present-tense relationship with Him, so I know when to shift when it is necessary.
Finishing What We Start
I also know myself to be someone who struggles with completion. I am often excited to start something new, but once the novelty wears off, I find myself looking for the next new thing. With this in mind, it is crucial for me to have a baseline motive of sticking to and finishing what the Lord has invited me to pursue. That does not mean He will never redirect me, but my disposition should be to remain committed until He clearly guides me elsewhere. Constantly questioning whether to switch directions fosters anxiety and distraction. God is patient and will redirect me as needed, but maintaining a consistent path I truly find to bring the most fruit.
Once I hear the Lord and understand what He is calling me to focus on in a given season, I have the pleasure of pursuing it wholeheartedly. I must resist the urge of wondering if I am missing something or should be pursuing some other spiritual discipline. Doing so only robs me of the richness of the present season and all that God intends for me to gain.
Living in the Season
So then, the question becomes: what should I pursue in this season, and how long will it last? The Lord is a God of seasons, and as much as I would like to know once and for all time what to do, I am quite aware that He uses different “seasons” to accomplish His purposes in me.
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones, a time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost, a time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together, a time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
Sometimes seasons feel abstract, but life circumstances often provide clues. One key for me when spending time with the Lord is to slow down and commit fully to that time. Schedule it, honor it, and resist the temptation to use it for “more productive” tasks—this is a lie that regularly keeps me from abiding in Him.
Many times I experience the impulse of feeling rushed, pressured with the idea of needing to “get on with it.” For me, this pressure often comes not from the Lord, but from my own desire to be outwardly productive, to feel valuable based on my accomplishments, and to impress others with physical achievements. But my spiritual growth requires presence, patience, and intentionality. By respecting the rhythms God has placed in my life and committing to consistent, focused time with Him, I cultivate a connection that produces fruit that will remain!
This remains my life purpose so that I like the apostle Paul can say,
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:7, 8).
*Originally a personal journal entry, this article was adapted for readers using the following prompt in ChatGPT: “Transform this journal entry into an article written from my first-person perspective for other believers, preserving my original thoughts and tone. Improve clarity, flow, and organization to encourage readers.” The article was then reviewed and edited to ensure it reflected my original thoughts and intentions.
