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There have been numerous mornings, in my career and ministry, where I have dreaded walking into work because the tasks for that day exceeded my knowledge and bandwidth. It’s amazing how different those same days ended up when I spent time with God.

Seriously, I’ve actually told God on multiple occasions that I needed him to pour his web design, communications, marketing, etc. wisdom into me that day, and acknowledged how much more he knew about that stuff than me. Some of those days I ended up taking credit for coming up with solutions, just to be reminded by his still small voice about our earlier conversation.

Ultimately, God is the reason we do what we do. He’s been in the business of changing lives long before us, and if we are to be a kingdom-focused group of servants, this has to come first.

Before the quietness of your morning is interrupted by the hum of your laptop, text message chimes, and email notifications, I would just like to encourage all of us to spend it with God.

Scott Chapman, my pastor at The Chapel, wrote an article in our quarterly magazine on the elements of his quiet time. I hope it challenges you all like it challenged me.

Three Consistent Quiet Time Elements

—Scott Chapman, Senior Pastor at The Chapel

Though the phrase “quiet time” is often heard in Christian circles, we don’t always know exactly what the term fully means. I define “quiet time” as time intentionally set aside to relationally connect with God. I have found my quiet time with God to be the singular most important Christian activity that I can engage in — more important than attending church or participating in a small group. My time with God has been and continues to be the primary influence on my relationship with him. There have been three consistent elements to my quiet times that have been unbelievably significant.

Element 1:  Bible Study

The first is Bible study. Currently, I am exploring the life of Abraham in the Old Testament. I have been moved to see with fresh eyes how God interacted with his life. It has been reinvigorating to realize that God’s relationship with Abraham several thousand years ago provides real-world lessons that are applicable to my own relationship with him today.

I am amazed that every time I open the Bible and reflect on what is said, God speaks to me in tangible ways. For those that would like to begin studying the Bible but are struggling with where to start, I recommend beginning in the Gospel of Luke and listening to the words of Jesus.

Element 2:  Prayer

The second aspect of my time with God is prayer. Talking to God about our lives and listening to his voice is the spiritual equivalent of breathing. We exhale when we pour out our hearts to him and inhale when we allow him to share his heart with us. Jesus himself taught us how to pray and to experience a balanced prayer life; discovering this in the Bible was a revolution for me! I shared what I found with our church in a message during the Hi-DEF series a few months ago. The passage we studied in Matthew 6 offered a great framework on how to connect deeply with God in prayer.

Element 3:  Review Your Calling

And finally, I review my calling with God everyday. One of my favorite verses, Ephesians 2:10, reminds us that each of us was made to partner with him in the advancement of his Kingdom on Earth. If you have never explored your calling with God, I would encourage you to do so. Simply begin by asking him, “What am I here for?” As God begins to reveal his will for your life, spend time revisiting it every single day. It will help anchor you in God’s purpose, even as the waves of competing voices and urgent demands attempt to sway you off course.

Over the years, my time with God has been transformational for me. I believe it is the most important spiritual decision we can make and will be one of the greatest contributors to the overall quality of our lives.