Only A Day?
A thought from Isaiah 58
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? (Isaiah 58:5a, NIV)
One of the spiritual disciplines I’ve tried to practice over the years is a monthly “Q-day.” Q stands for quiet; the Q-day is a day of solitude. I try to get away from the hustle and bustle, away from my smartphone, and away from the office. I love to be outdoors and fly fish for trout, so my Q-days typically consist of driving to a trout stream with my rod, Bible, and journal and spending the day fishing, hiking, praying, and listening. Some of my most treasured moments with the Lord have happened during my Q-days.
But the last several months, I’ve missed the Q-day. We’re in a busy season of life with kids in school. Inland trout season closed in October, and I just haven’t been able to get away. So, I was rather excited to go a few weeks ago when my calendar showed a Q-day coming up. I thought I would finally have a chance to get alone with God and ask Him for direction on some things.
Then, in my morning quiet time, I read Isaiah 58:5. “Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves?” The Lord spoke to me in a still small voice.
Why wait for your Q-day? Why don’t you ask Me more often? It’s not about the day but the rhythm.
Don’t get me wrong. I think a Q-day is good. I need to maintain a spiritually overflowing heart to minister from a place of abundance (the most effective ministry comes from the overflow). But the Lord doesn’t just want to speak to me once a month. He wants to spend time with me every single day!
God is loving and kind. He wants to encourage you and fill you with joy. And you don’t have to wait for Sunday, a monthly day of solitude, or Lent. Why not develop a rhythm of life with God now?
If you’re not sure where to start, try this: SOAP, Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer.
Scripture: Read a chapter of Psalms.
Observation: God, what do You want me to know?
Application: God, what do You want me to do?
Prayer: God, here’s what I’m seeing and thinking from this Scripture.