OK, I’ll admit it; I’m a compulsive multi-tasker. I’m doing it right now as I write this. I do it all the time – even when I don’t realize it! It can be an advantage – getting more “stuff” done in less time and I’m obsessive enough that I’m typically pleased with the results (ok, maybe not all the time.) But one area that I really challenge myself on NOT multi-tasking is during my focused time alone with God. I’m not saying I’m always successful, but I try. Jesus did it – He carved time out to focus and pray – so should I:
“When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Matthew 14:13
“…He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone…” Matthew 14:23
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up…” Mark 1:35
I believe focused time alone with God is crucial for every believer. Without it, we’re unprepared, running aimlessly and punching at open space as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9…picture a noted computer entrepreneur dancing on TV, its bad (ok, he tried, but it was still bad – not that there is anything wrong with bad dancing). Sadly, without focused time alone with God, we’re missing out on [don’t miss this] communion with the Creator of the whole universe. This is nothing new or profound, but it is basic.
If you have this area covered, cool! I pray that your times of personal study are special and encouraging. If this area is a challenge, be reminded, encouraged, challenged (if needed) to model our awesome Lord and Savior and set aside focused time alone…just as He did.
Having just expounded the importance of focused time alone with God…let me make a distinction: I multi-task my daily worship – basically seeing my entire day as a time of continual prayer, praise, and worship of our Amazing and Gracious God AS WELL AS striving to do everything to His glory and honor. Remember: Worship = Life for a Christ Follower. Multi-tasking one’s worship isn’t bad – in fact, it’s biblical…I got a verse!
I have been reading Nehemiah lately and in 1:6, Nehemiah prays to God, “…let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night…” BOOM! Did you see it? He is multi-tasking before God! Think about it, Nehemiah heard the news about Jerusalem in the month of Kislev and didn’t make his request to the king until 5 to 6 months later in the month of Nisan (based on my best layman’s read of the Hebrew calendar – thanks to my ESV Study Bible.) I’m SURE he still lived his life (he had to – the king still expected him to do his job!), but Nehemiah did it with a heart broken for his (and God’s) people.
The cool part in verse 1:6 is that he is asking God not only to HEAR him, but SEE him…leading one (me, you) to believe that God honors both closed-door, time alone AND the day-to-day, lifestyle of worship! BTW – it’s not just an Old Testament thang:
Romans 12:1 “…God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” [The Message]
Colossians 3:17 ” Let every detail in your lives-words, actions, whatever-be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” [The Message]
As Nacho said, “Pretty dang exciting, huh?”
I still feel we need uninterrupted, focused time with God – again, Jesus modeled it – but hey, multi-tasking ROCKS and it biblical!
WORD!
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I so needed to read this. I do worship God throughout my day in thought, word & deed (sometimes, I goof up and I’m not the example I should be). I am really struggling with that FOCUSED alone time with God. I try so hard but I just can’t get all of the other stuff of the day, week, month, home, school, work, church, etc. out of my head… Any advice on how to get that FOCUSED time? I was considering journaling my prayer to him.
Jennifer – thanks for the comment!
In practice, focused time alone with God for me is praying, reading scripture, then praying that scripture. For me, it has to be in a place where I am away from distraction – away from stuff that steals my attention from God or His Word.
I know some can study in a busy coffee shop – I can’t and I think we sell our time short when we try. There is also a lot to be said about silence…and also being honest with ourselves on what enables our time with God and detracts from it (some do need the noise!)
I guess in trying to model Jesus, I see him spending quality and quantity time with people doing the work of His Father (community), but I also see Him spending focused time alone without distractions.
Journaling your prayers sounds cool – when you think about it, that’s what the Psalms are! Unlike some religions, God give us the freedom to find the best way to spend time with Him – the key part is just doing it!
Blessings!