In this new series on the blog, we’re going to be hearing from some of our authors and speakers about how they spend personal time with God and what tips they would offer us for our own time with Him. To kick things off, we’re featuring some of our Lifeway Women team!
Let’s meet a few of our friends!
Kaitlin Redmond, 30, Designer
Kelly King, 56, Manager of Magazines/Devotional Publishing and Women’s Ministry Training
Mary Wiley, 31, Marketing Strategist
Lifeway Women: What does your time with God look like right now?
K.R.: I recently began working on memorizing one verse a week. Most days, my time with the Lord looks like meditating on that one Scripture, and if time allows, I’ll read through whatever book I am currently studying (right now, it’s James). I often recite the verse I’m meditating on as I feed my son, drive to daycare drop-off, or wherever I find myself throughout the day. Some days, it looks like getting a few quiet moments with the Lord before the baby wakes up, and some nights it looks like reading Scripture with my son before bed. In this season, the Lord has given me the freedom to trust my time with Him as He produces heart transformation as a result of spending time with Him, no matter what it looks like.
K.K.: In the past year, I focused on one word from Scripture. It was the word “come.” I made a list of references, and each day I would focus on one of those verses and journal what the Lord was teaching me about what it means to “come” to Him. In addition, I read through Priscilla Shirer’s devotional book, Awaken, and my prayer time was a system of praying through the Psalms.
M.W.: I certainly think carving out time on your calendar is wise, but it also can’t become what we worship, rather than God through reading His Word. Right now, I do not have a particular time carved out in my schedule, but do have loose guidelines. When I work from home, I get to spend some of the extra time I would have spent driving to work in God’s Word, beginning my day (after preschool drop-off) reading, learning, and praying. On days I don’t work from home, I normally listen to Scripture during my commute and spend time praying. If for some reason one of these plans doesn’t work, I spend time reading God’s Word while putting our youngest to bed. She requires that I lay with her until she falls asleep right now, so by the glow of my cell phone’s light, I read while she squirms and assures me that she is absolutely not tired.
Lifeway Women: What’s one habit you’ve established that has helped you stay in God’s Word regularly?
K.R.: Most recently, it’s a Scripture memory box. I have one verse I meditate on per week. Each week, I move to a new one and only review the previous ones. It has helped me to be mindful of the Lord and His Word in every aspect of my day.
K.K.: When I’m in accountability with others, whether that’s in a small group or Bible study, I’m more consistent at spending time in the Word. Also, remember that your time with the Lord is not about checking something off a list. You are developing a relationship with the God of the universe who created you, loves you, and has a wonderful plan for you.
M.W.: Audio is my fail-safe! I spend a lot of time in the car commuting back and forth, and being able to listen to God’s Word has been immensely encouraging. It’s helped me “read” more in one sitting, which leads to a better understanding of context. Ecclesiastes and Philippians are two of my favorite books, and I can listen to both in their entirety on a trip home from work!
Lifeway Women: How have you seen daily time with God change your life?
K.R.: My love for the Word has grown tremendously the more I’ve spent time in it and asked the Lord questions about it. As He’s revealed truths about Himself through His Word, He’s produced a deeper love for Him and the things of God.
K.K.: I’ve seen my time with the Lord change my life in so many ways. Whether it’s the way I love others or the way it has prepared me for vocational ministry, God’s Word is definitely living and active and is always profitable.
M.W.: When I’m in Scripture each day, I see the fruits of the Spirit so much more clearly in my life. God has used Scripture in these moments with Him to encourage me, challenge me, call me to step out in faith on a number of items, and move me to worship and obedience. Looking back to five or ten years earlier, I see a much less mature Jesus follower, and I hope that I will be able to say this every year as I continue to grow. When I haven’t been in Scripture, there are times that I don’t even really like being around me; but when I’ve been soaking in His Word, I tend to act and react way more like Jesus.
Lifeway Women: What tips would you give to other women who are struggling to make time with God a daily habit?
K.R.: Give yourself grace, especially if you find yourself in a new season. The Lord doesn’t expect your “quiet time” to be quiet or even to look the same exact way another sister’s time does. I would recommend meditating on one verse a day. Take it with you throughout your day to keep your heart rooted there. Also, ask the Lord for the desire for His word. He desires that we be in His Word and love Him, and He is a faithful God who I’ve found to always answer this request graciously time and time again.
K.K.: Have everything you need for your quiet time in the same place so it’s always ready for you, including your Bible and a journal. Keep a small basket of supplies near you, including pens, highlighters, blank notecards, Post-It notes and anything you might need for your time with the Lord. If they are all in one place, you won’t be as easily distracted!
M.W.: Make a plan, even if it’s a loose plan like mine often is. If you have small children, let them see you reading your Bible during playtime. If you are married with no kids, let your spouse know that you are going to be getting up twenty minutes early to read your Bible each morning. Spend your lunch break reading your Bible while you eat instead of going out with friends. Be committed to finding time, even if it’s a bit unconventional. It is worth it, and God’s Word will not and cannot return void. God is faithful to meet with you and transform your heart as you read.
Here are some other tips from our team:
Linda, 60, Marketing Strategist: Commit to it for 30 days. Then you’ll see you can’t do without it. Also, decide with your spouse what you’re going to be reading for the month. Then, you have automatic conversation topics!
Adam, 30, Digital Marketing Specialist: Daily reading is personal, but it doesn’t have to be private. You can read through the Bible with friends. That shared experience and community can be life changing.
Sarah, 34, Content & Production Editor: Just do what you can. Try to take manageable steps. Don’t stop altogether if you can’t spend as much time with God as you might like.
Jenaye, 26, Publicist: Don’t be afraid to be creative and find something you enjoy—it doesn’t have to look the same way every day or every month or every year. The past few years I’ve loved doing Bible journaling or art, listening to podcasts, and playing worship music. I’ve realized that it’s not just about what I’m doing but that I am connecting with God and spending time with Him.
Mary Margaret, 34, Girls Ministry Specialist: Start somewhere. Don’t go from not spending time with God to feeling like you have to spend 45 minutes with Him in one sitting. Pray that God would give you a love for the Bible, and I believe He will!
Leigh Ann, 57, Designer: Don’t necessarily think of it as a sit-down time. Talk to Him while driving, walking, working, etc. He is available all the time. Just visualize the fact that He is always at your side and ready for conversation!
How do you spend daily time with God? What habits have been helpful for you in staying consistent? We’d love to hear in the comments below!