Song of Solomon 2:13 (KJV)
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Sure, who doesn't like a break? Who doesn't want some 'time away' from the pressures, the tension, the bustling anxiety presented to us in modern society?
Usually, there are two reasons we are so busy;
our obligations have piled on, and
we like keeping busy to avoid boredom and the awkward quiet in our souls.
Seems contrary to be avoiding your own quiet-time, but it is that quiet that can be unsettling and fearful, actually. Deep in the core of our lives (heart and soul) is an innate awareness of God's presence. Fear or even disbelief that God is actually that close can subconsciously cause us to overbook our time, and we end up making a half-hearted promise that 'some day we'll get more time for God'. Regrettably, the longer we push Him into the background, the harder it can be to reach out to Him, later. We trained our spirit to 'keep God quiet', and when a circumstance arises, He 'seems so distant' to us, and we can even 'blame' Him for being that far apart from us.
Learn NOW to keep God close in your life, to remain fresh and current with your fellowship with Him. Even spiritual organizations can get wrapped up in schedules, planning, and even just over-coordinating their programs, outreaches, and congregation well being.
Being directly involved in a group ministry can have a glorious impact on your personal life. Dedicated and isolated time alone with the Lord is your sole key to a deeper, richer fellowship. Starting or ending your day with the Lord is one of the best ways to ensure He gets quality time with you. When you commit to this time in your day with a quiet-time for Him, it will set your life on His solitary path. Through consistency, this time will evolve into a #1 priority in your life. Luke 10:42 reads; "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.", which is a culminating scripture where Jesus was admonishing Martha to slow down, to settle her busyness, to even take time like Mary to commit solely TO the Lord, not FOR the Lord.
Then, your day is influenced by this dedicated time and your walk will naturally be closer with Him. Once you are regularly in close fellowship with the Lord, He can bless others through your witness, your relationship with Him.
In many ways, it is like when we spend time tracking a sport, or the coming weather, or even just business trends and gas prices. Rather passively, we exchange this information and our passion for it with others (say, a particular baseball team's progress). The insights, the peace, the trust and hope we gather from our dedicated time with the Lord, will also be passed along to those around us, whether directly (verbal exchange) or indirectly (act of kindness or forgiveness).