“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of God with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
-Hebrews 4:14-16
It’s very easy to for me to get overwhelmed with life. Most of the time I’m just trying to keep up with the daily grind. Add an extra event or activity and I have to really focus to stay on top of things. Add any more than that and I’m completely frazzled. This week we had lots of extras. My mental acuity has gone out the window at this point. I feel like a spastic squirrel.
Usually when this happens, taking care of myself is one of the first things to get pushed to the wayside. And one of the things I know I need to do to take care of myself is to spend some time with God each day, reading my 12 Step literature, devotional, and Bible. I’m thankful to say that at this point in my life, I do this almost every weekday. This hasn’t always been a part of my routine or even a goal of mine, but I have learned that it is vital to keeping my peace of mind. When I first started trying to incorporate this time with God into my routine, it was more of a chore. It was something I felt like I “should” do, but didn’t really want to do. But one day I read in my “Jesus Calling” devotional that God wanted me to enjoy that time with him and look forward to it, instead of dreading it or doing it out of obligation. And that really changed my perspective. When I approached it that way, it really became a blessing and a highlight of my day.
Now even though I do appreciate that time, when I get stressed, it starts to slip out of my routine. I start running around like crazy, trying to do 15 things at once and feeling like I’m getting nothing done at all. I feel like I can’t sit down and let one second of “productive” time slip away. That’s what happened to me this week. It’s Wednesday and I don’t think I’ve done my quiet time with God since last Thursday or Friday. In the past, I have let this become a wedge between me and God. I felt like a little kid who had done something wrong and was too embarrassed to face their parent. So I would go even longer without making time for God, and put even more distance between us, all the while feeling more and more guilt and shame and loneliness.
Over time, as I have gotten to know myself and God better, I can more easily recognize when I am slacking off in this area, and I know that God is not waiting to scold me, but that he is eagerly waiting for this time with me, his beloved child. I know that I can “approach the throne of God with confidence,” because he loves me no matter what. And because he knows what it’s like to be human. I can talk to him about what’s been going on in my life and keeping me so busy. I can ask him to guide me through whatever is happening. The more I practice this, instead of my old habit of hiding in shame, the easier it is to pick up right where I left off after a few days of craziness.
So is there anything that has been keeping you from spending time with God? Remember that nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing you’ve done or have failed to or have done poorly. God is always ready to enjoy some time with you. All you have to do is show up.