Devotional Guilt

...and the struggle for consistency.

Hi I’m Pastor Chris and I write this newsletter, Faith Unplugged. If you’re interested in a weekly email with an encouraging article aimed to help you grow in your faith and relationship with God, then subscribe below.

As the oldest child in a single-parent family, I carried a lot of unnecessary guilt. One thing that I always felt guilty about was the time I spent in prayer and reading scripture.

I would often think, "Am I doing enough? Am I doing it right?"

I had many people in my life that would say they got up very early and spent an hour or two with God before they started their day. We were all taught that this practice was the only way to develop a REAL relationship with God. Thus the reason for the guilt.

You see, I’m a night-owl.

For some reason, I get this burst of energy around 8:00 PM and I’m ready to take on the world. I’ve always been like that. At my age, I’ve learned to accept that it’s my natural tendency. For me it’s an interesting predicament. My day is filled with reading the Bible and research for sermons, this newsletter, and other projects. I even took four years of theology classes.

The Bible is a part of my everyday life and still I give myself a hard time for not having a special time in the mornings before everyone wakes up to sit and do all the things that REAL Christians do. Instead I dive in during the day, on a lunch break, or in the evenings.

I learned later on in life that, among other issues, I struggled to focus, and not because I’m lazy or not willing to commit. My mind tends to wander, and deciding what to focus on next, is the real challenge. It wasn’t because I wasn’t a REAL Christian, it was simply because of the way my brain is wired.

Finally, I just gave up on feeling guilty and allowed devotions to just happen naturally. There are days when I deep dive into scripture, and others where I read (or listen) to a chapter. Somewhere along the way, I realized that my devotional time didn’t have to look a certain way or fit a specific mold. It could be uniquely mine, tailored to my own rhythm and needs.

Are you struggling to find consistency in your spiritual life?

If you don’t carve out time now whether it’s in the early morning hours or after the kids are in bed, then you run the risk of making a challenging season even harder because you’re not spending time with God.

I can’t think of one person that didn’t need to pray as much as Jesus. Since He is God, it would seem that spending time alone and in prayer wouldn’t be neccessary.

Here’s the surprising part.

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16). Even with the demands of His ministry, He made time for personal prayer and reflection.

If Jesus needed that time, how much more do we?

Think about Jesus’ life. He was constantly surrounded by people—teaching, healing, and performing miracles. The demands on His time and energy were immense. Yet, despite this, Jesus prioritized His relationship with the Father above all else. He knew the necessity of retreating to quiet places to reconnect with God, gain strength, and find direction.

If Jesus had twelve disciples today, I can see them running around with smart phones, tracking Jesus’ social accounts. Then I see Jesus taking the phones away and taking everyone to a quiet place where they could connect without the distractions.

Jesus' choice of "lonely places" shows how important solitude is in our spiritual lives. In solitude, distractions are minimized, allowing us to hear God's voice more clearly. It's in these quiet moments that we can truly reflect, pray, and meditate without the noise of everyday life. His example teaches us to be intentional about our devotional time. It wasn't a casual or sporadic activity for Him—it was a deliberate and essential part of His routine. By making personal prayer and reflection a priority, we acknowledge its importance in our spiritual growth.

Just as Jesus needed to refuel and recharge through His time with God, we too need this spiritual nourishment. Our daily lives are filled with responsibilities and challenges, and without regular spiritual refueling, we can easily become weary and overwhelmed. Jesus shows us that time with God provides the strength, wisdom, and peace we need to navigate life’s demands. His prayer times were not just about speaking to God but also about listening. This is a crucial aspect of our devotional routine. We often approach God with our requests and concerns, but we must also make space to listen to His guidance and comfort.

This two-way communication deepens our relationship with Him.

If the Son of God saw the necessity of withdrawing for prayer and reflection, it’s a clear message that we need it even more. Our spiritual vitality hinges on these moments of connection with God. They ground us, provide clarity, and infuse our daily lives with divine purpose and direction. Regular devotions are like a spiritual anchor. They help us stay grounded in our faith, remind us of God's promises, and provide a space for us to listen to His voice.

The benefits are numerous:

• Spiritual Growth: Consistent time with God deepens our understanding of His word and strengthens our faith.

• Inner Peace: Starting the day with prayer and reflection can bring a sense of calm and focus.

• Guidance and Wisdom: Daily reading and meditation help us discern God's will for our lives.

So what did I do to keep myself on track?

I have a daily reminder to read my bible, read my devotional, and pray. This is what works for me and how my brain is wired. I would encourage you to do something that works for you. The way I do it might sound like I’m just crossing things off on a list, and time with God is just another task. That’s not it at all. The fact that I make it a priority to have a recurring reminder shows just how important this time in prayer, devotions, and reading the Bible is.

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Practical Steps to Establish a Devotional Routine

1. Set a Time and Place: Choose a specific time and place where you won't be easily distracted. For me, it's in the evening when it’s quiet and I can focus.

2. Start Small: If you're new to devotions, start with just 10-15 minutes a day. As you get more comfortable, you can gradually increase the time.

3. Choose a Plan: Having a reading plan can be incredibly helpful. Whether it's a chapter a day or a specific devotional book, a plan provides structure and keeps you on track.

4. Include Prayer and Meditation: Take time to pray and meditate on what you've read. Ask God to speak to you through His word and reflect on how it applies to your life.

5. Keep a Journal: Writing down your thoughts and prayers can help you process and remember what you've learned. It's also a great way to see how God has been working in your life over time.

I encourage you to start today. Find a quiet corner, grab your Bible, and spend a few minutes in God's presence. It might feel challenging at first, but stick with it. The consistency will pay off, and you'll find your spiritual life enriched in ways you never imagined.

I'd love to hear about your experiences. What works for you in your devotional time? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's encourage one another on this journey.

Remember, it's not about perfection but about making space for God in our daily lives. Let's grow together in grace and wisdom.

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Prayer Changes Everything

Speaking of prayer and devotions, my devotional is now on Substack. Follow along for daily doses of encouragement meant to strengthen your prayer life.