In this busy and noisome world, it is imperative to take out time and spend in the solitude of quietness. Be it nature, hobbies, etc., the need is absolutely necessary. It is a source of relaxation and rejuvenation. Life without spirituality is incomplete as no amount of rest, solitude, and rejuvenation will bear fruit unless we have a connection with our Creator. Quietude is a privilege of a fully surrendered, joyful, and redeemed heart. “Quiet time, also stated as heart-to-heart time, or one-on-one time with the creator, is a regular individual session of Christian spiritual activities, such as prayer, private meditation, contemplation, worship of God, or study of the Bible.” (Wikipedia)
Every believer needs a quiet hour with the Lord. Jesus, Himself needed it and moved to quiet places to communicate with his Father. Luke 5:16 “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed.” Matthew 26:36 “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. Mark 1:35 states “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
All spiritual stalwarts had a quiet time with their Creator. In Exodus 34:2-3 we learn that Moses also had his quiet hour with the Lord. “And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.”
The quiet hour is a regular appointment that we keep with God. During this time, we should ensure to block out all other distractions and focus on our connection with Jesus through prayer, meditation, and reading the Word of the Lord. We have to remove the dressings of this world and don the robe of godliness. In other words, the worries, clatter, preoccupations, etc should be put aside during our quiet hour.
Paul gives very good counsel in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things..” This brings peace and joy with our Lord. As rightly pointed out in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
• The quiet hour brings us rich dividends:
• It helps us to come closer to our Master and build a spiritual rhythm in our lives
• Cements a relationship between the individual and God and helps to connect to Him
• Helps to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of communion
• Helps us to unload our burdens, anxieties, problems, and tensions
• This time is for learning to understand and glorifying our God
• Increasing personal knowledge of the scriptures
• Helps us to live a tension-free life with the hope that He will take care of everything
Dr Ashwin Drummond