The Place

Is there a “place” that you go to regularly that people who know you well would know where to find you if they were looking for you? Maybe between a certain time frame they would find you at your work. Or in the night hours they would find you in your bed in your home. Or maybe on Sunday you would be found at your church or with your community group. But what about beyond these normal places we visit each week, where would someone find you? On a Saturday, on the lake, fishing? Or on the golf course, golfing, or in the yard, doing yard work? Or in your garage working on something? Or in the store shopping for groceries?

This morning I was reading in John 18 that details the arrest of Jesus in the garden. One of the things that struck me about his encounter was that Judas led the Roman soldiers and temple police to where Jesus could be found. While Jesus traveled in many places, there were a few places that he often went to be alone or with his disciples that was special, sacred, but predictable. Jesus regularly withdrew from the crowds and even at times his disciples to “a place” he could be with His Father.

“he knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.”

John 18:2

This got me to thinking about my own patterns. Sure I have places I go on a regular basis for work, rest, eating, etc. But what about a “space” for time with God? Do I regularly go to a place that is for meeting the Father, abiding with Jesus, listening to the Holy Spirit? Would you know when and where to find me in the early morning hours? Or at noon? Or in the night hours? Would you find me spending time with the father on a regular basis, a predictable time and place? What about you? Do those closest to you know where to find you if they needed you Monday – Friday morning at 6 a.m.? Saturday? Sunday?

Where is the place, the space you an be found with God, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit on a regular basis? If you can’t name the place, what would it take for you to establish this in your own walk with God? Here are a few suggestions from what I have learned through the years of making “a place and space” for time alone with God.

• Choose a regular time that will seldom be challenged by others for that time. This will most likely be early in the morning or at night. For me it is between 5-7 a.m. each morning. For you it might be after 9 or 10 each night. Pick a time when it is unlikely that others will need to call you or schedule time with you. Make this your God time.
• Choose a place that provides minimal distractions. Maybe a chair in your bedroom or office when no one is around. Maybe outside on a patio or deck or under a tree. I prefer outdoor space when possible because it is often filled with reminders of God’s glory and majesty revealed in creation.
• Choose a plan that will allow you to encounter God through His word and through prayer. There are many reading plans that will help you read through books of the Bible or the entire Bible giving you a good understanding of the the context and over arching story of God. You can also establish a rhythm of prayer that leads you to pray for the people and things that are most important to you by designating a day for family, ministry, missions, people, finances, etc.
• Choose to eliminate as many distractions as possible. Eliminate external distractions such as your phone or other devices. If possible, don’t have them in the same “space” where you are. If you use them for reading be sure you have turned off as many notifications as possible. Don’t look at emails, texts, or social media during this time and space. Be sure you have turned off or never turned on radio, television or play lists. Silence provides another kind of “space” for you to listen that is rare in our world today. Also, eliminate internal distractions as much as possible. If your mind is already active about your day or yesterday, try to park these thoughts for this time. You may need to write them down so you can come back or verbally just give them to God to bring back up to your later.
• Journal your thoughts, insights, prayers, concerns, questions, etc. There is something powerful about writing what we are thinking or processing that brings clarity, insight, and remembrance of the things your Father may have been speaking during this time and space. I regularly write a summary of the passage(s) I have read, through to that came to me while reading or contemplating, people God brought to mind to pray for or possibly to contact with a call, text, email or a card, a task to schedule, something to write about later or explore more. I then write my prayers for people, ministry teams and efforts, church staff and ministry, counseling or coaching clients, family (wife, children, parents, extended family), friends, missionaries and mission efforts, people I am discipling, or seeking to share Christ with, etc.
• I end this time with a daily planning practice I have learned through Life Younique Gospel Centered Planning and have tweaked over the past few years of purposeful planning for the day:

DAILY PLAN:

What I am Grateful for this Morning?

What would a win look like today?

When, Where, What, Whom I will invest energy and effort today?

Notes, Ideas, Tasks, People for Today?

Scripture Memory verse for the week?

(At end of day)

G.L.A.D. Journal:

Grateful for today:

Learned today:

Achieved today:

Delighted in today: