Soul Coffee: Why You Cannot Afford to Miss Another Quiet Time

"O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You..." (Psalm 63:1)

We’re all creatures of habit. Whether you’re making breakfast, hanging laundry, or driving to work, certain parts of your day are so routine they require little thought or attention. That’s why you sometimes can’t remember whether you locked the door or turned off the lights on your way out; it’s so habitual, it’s almost mindless. Some habits, like brewing coffee, are easy to maintain. Nobody reminds me to stumble towards the Keurig each morning and push that flashing button. The taste of coffee isn’t quite my favorite, but as I face 16 hours of busyness, I know I need the energy contained in that little cup.

As Christians, some habits are particularly important. Spiritual disciplines like praying and memorizing Scripture deserve to be a daily priority, even though they go against the grain of “the natural man [which] does not receive the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 2:14).  In many cases, our consistency in these areas is often hindered by doubt as we silently wonder, “Do prayer and Bible study really make a difference?” Admittedly, the results of skipping today’s quiet time won’t be as outwardly obvious as a pounding headache and chronic lethargy, but they’re even more devastating. In one survey of pastors disgraced by public sin, most admitted that their own path to immorality began with neglecting personal time in God’s Word. Every day, we’re tempted to put good things like family, work, and even ministry above the very best thing: a thriving personal relationship with God. At times, it may seem like spiritual disciplines are just another item on a long list of to-dos. But the harvest reaped from this field is one that strengthens the heart and nourishes the soul. Like a daily cup of coffee, our souls crave the spiritual energy derived from those quiet moments with the Lord.