Spiritual Discipline: Do You Have a Chair?

In 1960 Paul Carrack sang a song called “I Need You.” In it, he sings how he needs the one he loves like a ball needs a game, and like a pool needs a cue.

Without a game a ball has no purpose; without a cue a pool game isn’t going to happen. There are some things that just go together. One needs the other. Your calling is the same; it can’t exist without God. It begins and ends in Him.

Your relationship with Christ is also important because it’s the foundation for your entire life. Your relationship with God affects your career, finances, relationships, and physical life. The decisions you make in these areas are a direct result of your relationship with Him. This is why you need an intentional strategy to develop your spiritual life.

Developing this strategy isn’t a way to earn favor with God so you can get what you want. It’s not about being “good enough” or religious. It’s about responding to His invitation for you to know Him intimately, live for Him, and demonstrate your love for Him. (Remember this is one of the main reasons you are here.) This will lead to the abundant, eternal life you seek and that He promises to those who know Him (John 3:16-18). This is the only way you can be truly successful in your calling.

… If we want to live the abundant life Christ promised (John 10:10), if we want to fulfill the two main reasons we are here — to know Christ and to glorify God — if we want to make a difference while we have our breath, we must spend time with Him. Your calling begins and ends in Him. He is the Source of your calling—and apart from Him you can do nothing (John 15:5). Don’t make the tragic mistake of spending your entire life neglecting your time with Him, only to later realize what treasured time you missed with your Creator and that you could have had a fuller, more productive life for Christ if you had known Him better. Don’t make the mistake of attempting to pursue your calling apart from Christ.

Do you have a chair?

Do you have a place where you can commune regularly with Christ and become aware of His presence in your life? Hybels says your “chair” can be anywhere. It can be in your bedroom closet, your car, or a corner booth at your favorite coffee shop. The important thing is to spend time with Christ. Intentionally carve out a specific time each day to hear from Him and share your life with Him. The marvelous thing is that you will discover that the more time you spend with Him, the more time you will want to spend with Him.

Excerpted with permission from Your Blueprint for Life by Michael Kendrick, copyright Thomas Nelson.

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Your Turn

Do you have a “chair” — a place or space where you spend intentional, undivided time with the Lord reading His Word, asking for His thoughts, listening for His voice, and applying what you learn? Maybe your life is so busy that it would be impossible to carve out 30 minutes to spend in prayer, reading, and meditation. If so, what would need to be eliminated to make an appointment with God and focus solely on Him? Come join the conversation on our blog. We want to hear your thoughts! ~ Devotionals Daily