Image source: stock.xchng
By Contributing Writer, Marcia Wilwerding
If there is one thing most of us have in common, it is that we are too busy. Regardless of age, marital status, job description, or locale, we are simply swamped with living.
Sometimes our health suffers because of the lack of time and attention it takes to invest in good health. But, if we are to keep from being side railed, we must practice the physical disciplines of diet, exercise, and rest in order to keep moving.
Unfortunately, as Christian women, we are often too busy to keep up our spiritual health as well. Yet, time and attention must be paid to what believers through the ages have referred to as “the spiritual disciplines” if our souls are to be healthy. These could include many worthy activities, but I’d like to encourage you to at least concentrate on Bible intake, prayer, and meditation, and to add others as you are able.
Bible Intake
Please notice I did not say Bible reading. Although that can be a very important way to take in the Bible, there may be more efficient means for the busy woman to really get a good soaking of the Scriptures. Hurriedly reading through a chapter here and there with a gazillion other things crowding out your comprehension probably isn’t going to help much.
You may actually catch much more than you realize — even subconsciously — by listening to the Bible by audio means.[1] Turn it on while doing chores which don’t require much concentration, such as prepping vegetables, doing dishes, and folding or ironing laundry.
The same is true for sermons in digital form. Many wonderful messages from pulpits and conferences are available, many for free, over the Internet. A good one to explore is SermonAudio.com. Chapel Library even has audio sermons of Charles H. Spurgeon (read by a modern reader, of course) at no charge. Chances are you will find something in audio form on the websites of most of your favorite ministers.
Image source: stock.xchng
Prayer
Prayer is another discipline which may be utilized while doing other things. Rather than trying to slice out large chunks of time for talking with the Lord, begin the practice of sweet communion with Him all throughout the day. When sins come to mind, make confession. When you hear of a prayer need, make intercession. When prayers are answered, give thanks. You will never find God too busy, day or night, to listen.
Corporate prayer with other believers is also important. If your church has a prayer meeting before or after services, try to adjust your schedule to be there. If not, perhaps you could invite a few ladies to your home once a month to share needs and intercede for one another. At the very least, a prayer chain could be set up where only one phone call is made to carry the need on to others who will pray at that moment together.
Meditation
When I speak of meditation, I am not referring to the mindless chanting of Eastern mysticism. On the contrary, true spiritual meditation involves real concentration if it is to be effective . The object of meditation must always be the Lord of Glory. It should, indeed, be a true act of worship.
What to meditate on could involve several things, including:
- Verses you wish to memorize and internalize, taking them apart word by word, phrase by phrase, and chewing on them mentally.
- Passages of the Word from which you hope to find clearer meaning.
- Memories of how God brought you through great deliverances.
- Remembering how He gave wondrous answers to prayer.
- Giving God glory for how He has worked throughout history in your own nation and in the world at large.
- Considering the glories of nature as you worship the Creator.
How to concentrate while meditating could be more of a challenge for the busy woman.
You could write memory verses on 3- by 5-inch cards and tape them to the bathroom mirror, on the cabinet next to the sink, or to the bottom of the computer monitor. Keep those verses in front of you, and steal those little moments of meditation as they come.
Even educating your children can be a means of meditation as you study with them the providences of God in history and the wonders of Creation science.
Finally, memories of past blessings could be a wonderful way to end your day as you drift off to sleep in meditation on God’s goodness.
- Image source: stock.xchng
Other Disciplines to Explore
Some spiritual disciplines you might consider adding, as you are able, could include journaling, solitude, fasting, serving others, stewardship, simplicity, submission, seeking godly counsel, and celebration. These are explored in more detail in Donald Whitney’s excellent book, Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life.[2] Another good read is Discipline: The Glad Surrender by Elisabeth Elliot.[3]
As the seasons change in your life, there will be opportunities when you have time to add some of these other spiritual disciplines to your schedule. Yet, some could be enjoyed even during the busy days, if you are willing to sacrifice some entertainment time and other distractions.
For instance, you could go on a television or Internet fast and retreat instead to a comfy armchair to write in your journal. Or, while everyone else is watching a movie, slip away to a quiet room or out on the patio for some “we time” with the Lover of your soul.
As busy women, we do not have to waste away spiritually while waiting for a quieter time. We just have to be more creative in how we get what we need.
What are some ways you have found to exercise your soul in your busy day? Please share your ideas with us in the Comments.
[1] Our family favorite is the KJV read by Alexander Scourby. It can be found both new and used in several places online.
[2] Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1991).
[3] Elisabeth Elliot, Discipline: The Glad Surrender (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1982).
About Marcia
As a busy Mama of 8, keeping my mind fixed on the Lord is a constant battle and discipline. Good morning, Jesus. Lord, baby was up alot last night. Give me strength. Lord, give me the words to say to my daughter. She needs to be more patient. Lord, here’s my list of things that NEED to be done today. What will you have me do? Help me pick the best things. Viewing all the ways I must serve my family
in any given day, as an act of worship, I am serving Jesus Himself, keeps me living in the Spirit, rather than the flesh.
Also singing and dancing with my children is fun and keeps us worshiping Jesus.
Have a blessed day!
Laura Z
God bless you, Laura Z, in all the day-to-day ways you serve the Lord Jesus and worship Him in so doing. I didn’t mention music, but you are absolutely right about that being a very important part of worship.
One verse which helped to center me during those busy years was this: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11)
“…And shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isn’t that the beautiful heart of our God toward busy mothers? Trying to keep a manmade list of rules in daily disciplines is just defeating for a mother of any number of children, but especially those He has blessed with many children. Our dear Shepherd does not drive us, but walks beside us at our pace. Praise the Lord!
Thank you. This is very important. To make time to just be with God. Just be. I have heard others telling of their time they have to read the bible daily and I try to get back in there each day. It’s so hard sometimes. I want to be diciplined about it, but sometimes with everything else I just don’t get to it. I sing praises, work on scripture memroy with our two growing blessings (ages seven and five), read from the children’s picture bible or my bible aloud with the children almost every day, and we home school not to mention training…I feel bad when I don’t read my token chapter, but really, God wants me, all of me. Not just a chapter of my focus each day. It’s important for me to remember that. To sing praises and meditate on His word is just as important as reading it. I will keep trying to get into His inspired word daily, but will also consider what I have spent my time doing each day to make sure He is the focus of each moment. *smile* This is not easy, but I will focus on Him and get up each time I slip and fall. *smile* Thank you for the many ideas here on where I can work on my walk with my Father. Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
You make some very good points here, Blessings!. The points of making the Lord our constant focus and not giving up when we fall are so important to remember. It’s a walk with God, not a marathon. Good points. Thanks for sharing.
Really enjoyed the article. Being consistant with daily Quiet time is always a challenge for me. I love the idea of listening to the scriptures as we go through our day. Thanks again, Cindy Hostetler