How’s your quiet time? That’s the first question Travis asked me when he would see me. I remember the first time I opened my front door for our small group meeting and he stood on the doorstep with his Bible in hand. I said, “Hey, Tavis, come in.” His reply was straight to the point. “Thanks, Susan. So, how’s your quiet time?” So much for small talk before everyone arrived. He was ready to dive deep the minute he walked into the door.
That was years ago. Travis has since moved away and I can’t remember the last time I saw him; however, I’ve never forgotten the question he asked me that night, and every time he saw me. Travis pushed me to live out 1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
You see, in order to tell Travis, or anyone else for that matter, how my quiet time was, I had to have one. I couldn’t just read a few scriptures, mumble a prayer and go on with my day. I had to be ready to tell others about it. While our time with the Lord is a blessing to us, it isn’t meant to be kept to ourselves. It is meant to be shared. God’s economy is multiplication. He takes whatever we surrender to Him and He multiplies it [Matthew 14:14-21].
I have to admit, the first few times Travis asked me that question, I stammered around now sure of how to respond, but I became determined to have a solid answer for him when he asked. I found myself diving deep in the Word of God because I wanted to learn something new, not just for myself, but to share with Travis. He taught me so much in a simple question. Through the years I’ve taken his question to be my own. When I worked with FCA, I regularly asked the leaders “How’s your quiet time?” They knew it was coming and most of the time they were prepared. When they weren’t, I didn’t beat them up. I just encouraged them to go after God. None of us can give what we don’t have. In order to be a witness for Jesus and fulfill the great commission, we must have time with Him….quiet time in His presence and in His Word [Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20].
So, how’s your quiet time? I really do want to know.