I met with a very successful man this week and he shared many things with me that have contributed to his mind boggling success. I’ve spent considerable time advising others through the years, but I’ve never been fortunate enough to have a mentor, and it was rewarding to have someone (especially a person of his stature)
spend some quality time advising me how I can improve.
One thing that he told me about was some advice he got at the CEO Forum
(which consists of a select group of powerful businessmen to include the president of Walmart, Johnson and Johnson, and other Fortune 50 companies). Some of them were discussing Christian leadership principles and a question was asked regarding how much time these type “A” personalities spend in quiet time with the Lord each day.
It turned out that each of them, including my friend, spent mere minutes and then got to thinking of all of the responsibilities and things they needed to do and their quiet time session ended almost as quickly as it had begun. The leader of the discussion with the CEO’s suggested that they change their behavior to continue in the quiet time session until they were “released” by God.
My friend decided to give it the old college try, so he turned off all of his electronic devices and became immersed in prayer, meditation, and seeking God’s will for everything that was going on in his life. He sought God’s take on everything from family issues, friends, work related concerns, to the myriad of projects that were consuming him, to decisions that needed to be made both important and not so important.
He’d been told to keep a journal of his discussion with God which he faithfully did. When he finished he looked at his watch and to his utter amazement several hours had elapsed. To a person who has every minute of every day scheduled to capacity, this was absolutely amazing.
My friend has continued this routine and his personal assistant has learned not to interrupt him and/or schedule meetings during this time, which can vary widely and sometimes last as late as 10 a.m. in the morning, dependent upon when God releases him.
Hmmm . . . I’m class “A+++++” and have hundreds of projects, e-mails, texts, meetings, speaking engagements, problems galore, and am busier than a one-armed paper-hanger myself and have trouble focusing for long periods during my quiet time as well. But, I decided to give it a try. To my surprise my first session lasted 3½ hours. I was shocked that I didn’t even seek my “release”; I was content just basking in the presence of God.
The Lord and I covered a wide range of issues that have been and are currently bugging me during this session, but I also used some of this time to thank Him for the many blessings He has given me, (none of which I deserve), and not the least of which is my health. At the end I was refreshed and ready to face all of the issues of the day, (including the vexing ones).
I was given a journal for Christmas and I’m making my first entry in it this morning.
So, what was the “net–net” of this experiment? Well I intend to continue with this routine from this point forward, so I would have to say that it was time well spent.
Folks often tell me that they don’t know how I get so much done, (including writing Words for the Day five times per week), and most attribute it to my not sleeping much. Will this reduce how much I get done in a day? Actually I think seeking God’s wisdom first in the mornings will enhance my productivity and not detract from it, because quiet time with the Lord and seeking his will for our lives gives us the direction that is invaluable, especially in prioritizing what is important in this brief life.
So some will have a smirk on their faces and say that old Williamson’s really lost it now and is conversing with God for hours at a time. Yep, I sure am! I’m yapping away like one of those irritating little mutts that I’d like to knock in the head, but I yap in full contentment. My doubting friends can be assured that though no voice booms down from the sky in answer to my yapping; I still hear His gentle voice reassuring me and directing me in a way that only the Lord can muster. If this feeling is crazy, then give me crazy!
Jesus spent quiet time and there are numerous examples of it in the Bible.
Mark 1:35 – And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. We would all do well to follow His lead.
When you approach Him, find a quiet secluded place, (But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you). Turn off your blasted cell phone, computer, and iPad, and settle in. Clear your mind and don’t worry about all of the pressing matters bearing down on you like an out of control freight train. Don’t worry about all of the “stuff” that you need to do. Get comfortable and relax. Seek the Lord and He will find you and then sit back and enjoy His company. Don’t stop until God releases you; (you’ll know when it’s time).
When finished keep a record of your meeting. In a few days review what you were concerned about and look how God helped you to work all those things out to a satisfactory conclusion and at your next “session” thank Him profusely before seeking his will on your next problem or two. Remember, if you will just make a genuine effort to seek His counsel it will be forthcoming like a pure spring of flowing wisdom.
Rev. 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him . . .
January 8, 2014 – Click here to listen