Making Time To Listen

March 1, 2012 in Life with 40 Comments

Other than spending time with my family, my absolute favorite time of the week is Saturday morning. I wake up early before anyone, walk to the kitchen and start the zen-like process of making the perfect cup of coffee. When done, I walk over to my desk with a finely pressed espresso in my hand. I spend a few minutes with my iPad reading the Word of God and praying. A few minutes later, I wake my iPad from its slumber and fire up Instapaper.

There are currently 25 articles waiting for me to read. After a few sips of the good stuff, the precious time begins. I have precisely the right music on, and in that moment, I make love to words. I don’t consider that time busy, I’m not working – I am enjoying the moment. I really treasure those 90 minutes and I have come to the realization that I need this time every single day.

In those precious minutes, I am aware of the gift of quietness. During this silence, sitting in this room, I’ve offered myself to listen. I break the flow of productivity and things to do. I divorce myself from people for those moments and I listen to what I’m thinking. It’s amazing what your hear when you make time to listen.

I want to do this every day, for 90 minutes, no matter what. I think inspiration is worth the sacrifice.

Do you make time to listen? If so, what does your routine look like?

http://thehandwritten.com MichaelDPerkins

I wake up daily at 4:30 AM. After I brush teeth and use bathroom (necessities) I go read my bible.

I then make a pot of coffee.

Then I will read a few blogs in Google Reader and check the news on Yahoo.

By the time I’m done, it’s about 6 AM and it’s time to get the day started.

I love my quiet time and find it absolutely necessary to have it.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

4:30? How does the worm taste that early?

Like you, I really do love my quiet time too. It’s precious!

http://lifebeforethebucket.blogspot.com/ Adrian Waller

Typically, I wake up around 6:30 or 7 AM, which is a few hours before most of my peers (we’re in college). It is also a couple of hours before my wife wakes up. I brush my teeth, and then head to the kitchen. If it’s a month that I’m on my medicine, I do that (it takes about 25 minutes). Then I load up my Keurig with coffee and concoct the perfect brew. I carefully carry my liquid motivation to my coffee table, where I sit and write my blog post for the day. After writing, I read other blogs and comment (which is what I’m doing right now!).

That was unnecessarily long. I apologize. =)

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

Long? Nah, don’t worry about that. Go nuts!

I like your approach. Early, writing, coffee, reading. Good stuff Adrian. Thanks for sharing.

http://www.j4man.wordpress.com Jim F.

For me I find the time that I drive to be a great time to listen. Many times I turn off the music and talk with God then I sit and drive and listen. It is a time that my head is clear and open to what the Father has to say. There is no distraction of tweet or a like or a comment on my blog – occasionally a text will come but I do not check that while I am driving.

This is all different from My quiet time routine which is to get up and help get the kids out the door and on the bus. I come in the house and Wendy and I pray together and then I read the Word and pray and then read some blogs. I then shower – which is a time where I listen for what God is saying to me – then head to my office where I spend time in the Word again but this sermon prep and not personal study.

That is my story and I am sticking too it!

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

I had some great “God” moments driving too. I can drive and pray like a master.

They say that the greatest inspiration comes in the shower. Funny that!

http://billgrandi.com/ bill (cycleguy)

I try to make the time to listen, but certainly not as disciplines as yours is. I like to get to the office early, check out some blogs and then take some time to read my devotional material and then read the Word. Sometimes is it more meaningful than others. After that I get down to doing sermon prep work. Quiet gone (sometimes). Other times, God speaks loudly.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

Yeah, I’ve been there. Sometimes it’s very meaningful, while other times are just meh.

http://somewiseguy.com ThatGuyKC

90 minutes a day? I’m already up at 3:00am and am packed pretty tight. However, not all time I use is used wisely or efficiently. I could use some time to just be and think.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

I bet a lot of those 3:00 A.M. times are “busy” times. Trust me, I know. Nevertheless, keep doing that. Love your dedication to it.

http://jesusyoume.blogspot.com/ Andrea Ward

My listening is for a few brief minutes in the morning before work and a few minutes before I go to bed. It probably isn’t enough and I’m working on carving out more time. Thanks for the encouragement.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

We can all use more time. That’s something that never changes, but we get wrong so many times.

http://www.tonyjalicea.com Tony J. Alicea

I haven’t had a routine since I’ve been married. At least not a consistent one like I used to have. It’s been a weird feeling but it was also freeing in the beginning.

It’s definitely time to get back in a routine though. Too much to do and I don’t have enough discipline to do it “whenever I get around to it”.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

Funny that, I always saw you as someone who probably wears a red bandana and gets down and dirty in a daily routine. You think you know someone.

http://erniereppe.wordpress.com/ Ernie

“I have precisely the right music on, and in that moment, I make love to words.”
I just can’t get past this line. Only you, Moe! I love it!

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

LOL. You are just jealous because you are stuck at the letter A and the number 5.

http://cindyholman.com/ Cindy Holman

I’m much like you in the morning with my first cup of coffee, I do my devotional and then return emails and comments on my social networking sites – and then prepare what to write on my blogs and read what other talented people, like yourself are saying

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

A disciplined blogger. Love that! Thanks Cindy.

http://popparables.com Keri

I love this idea, but I really struggle with the execution. As a SAHM of 3 kids, my time is so limited and often interrupted-no matter what time of day. Without fail, I will be interrupted during my quiet time. Most days I have to resort to Plan B, which is turning on some worship music while making breakfast, reading a short devotional with the bathroom door locked, or having the quiet time before bed. What tips or ideas do any of you have for making this work in the morning?

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

There’s gotta be a time when everyone is knocked out sleeping. That’s the time to get up and do it. It’s costly, but it’s so worth it.

http://deuceology.wordpress.com Larry Carter

Moe, the older I’m getting (I’m 43) the more I realize I need to decide what my “big rocks” are and pour myself into those things. That will help my routines.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

And here I thought you were 34. Good grief!

Good idea on knowing what your “big rocks” are. That’s the first step.

http://www.jasonvana.com Jason Vana

One of the things I’m doing during Lent is keeping the radio off in my car. It’s allowed me an incredible time of silence and listening to the voice of God. I didn’t realize how loud my life is before that.

Outside of Lent, I always try to take the last 30 minutes of my day, go into my room and shut the door, turn on my iPad softly and spend that time reading the word and praying. Always a powerful time of my day.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

Like Jim, I too know the power of car devotionals and moments of meditations. I’ve had some good ones. As for your routine. I like it. What Bible app do you use?

http://www.jasonvana.com Jason Vana

When I use a bible app, it’s usually YouVersion, but I would say 95% of the time, I use an actual printed Bible (shocking, I know).

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

I actually only use a physical Bible on Sundays at church. I use iPad and iPhone for most of my devotions.

http://www.jasonvana.com Jason Vana

HEATHEN! It’s not a real Bible unless it’s printed. :p
http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

LOL

http://ineffableGod.com Jonathan Jacob

First of…that coffee looks pretty milky dude!

I so agree with you, though. I am by no means a morning person, but I do love those early Saturday/Sunday mornings. Time where it’s just me, my thoughts, and God. There’s just something really peaceful about it. I believe we need those times. I definitely want to have it on a regular basis.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

Ha! No way man, it’s the Instagram filter that makes it look that way. You, your thoughts and God are a good combination.

http://www.thestoriedsoul.wordpress.com/ Arny

driving alone is my time…i love it…sometimes the presence of God is soooo profound…and i cry in his presence in reverence…

and sometimes…the music is off…and just thoughts invade…amillion thoughts a minute…but one always stands out…

Thank you Jesus…i love you…so much…

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

That is fantastic Arny. It seems lots of folks have made their cars their altars. I’m cool with that. I love that we don’t HAVE to be in a temple to approach God. I love that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that He lives in us.

Thanks bro!

http://chrisvonada.com chris vonada

“making love to words” ? Moe, you passionate poetic!!

It is truly amazing when you take time to listen to the thump of the drum how the beat resonates through you… savory, like that amazing cup of joe you anticipate waking to every Saturday morn… ahhhh….

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

Oh, you know me, the corny poet. LOL.

Ooh, you said coffee, that would be perfect right now. Thanks Chris! Oh, and yes, when you do listen it’s like a beat that is perfectly in tune… like coffee.

http://www.abrahamchronicles.com Dustin

My routine, sadly, hasn’t made time for the discipline of blogging as of late. I have been so swamped with work and other things. Makes me sad that I have ‘dropped the ball’ so to speak. I have, however, done a bootcamp over the last month… with the hopes of kickstarting my workout routine/discipline. I’ve had to get up at 430, do a intense workout, drive to work, shower there, then work a full-day… it’s been tiring, but worth it.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

Wait, you blog?

I’m actually intimidated now. Everytime I think of you, Arnold comes up in my mind. Wanna run for governor?

http://www.abrahamchronicles.com Dustin

You should see me now… 4 weeks into bootcamp. Beast-mode.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

Grr!

http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

I have a daily quiet time, and I also like to have more extended times on the weekends too – I love Saturday morning! Just like you – some of my favorite times of the week.

http://www.discipulus.us/ Moe

Thanks for sharing Loren. Those times are precious and healing to some extent. Keep listening friend.