In my early teen years, I repeatedly heard the message that I should have regular devotions—I should spend time reading my Bible and praying. It was a familiar and frequently stressed focus of youth group and youth camp. And they were right, I should do that. And so I did, faithfully—for a few weeks after youth camp or a youth rally, maybe for a month or so at the beginning of each new year, and on and off in between—usually motivated by guilt.

As I grew both in years and in my walk with the Lord, I began to realize how much I needed this time with the Lord. It wasn’t just a duty to be performed, but a need I had if I were going to grow and deepen in my relationship with God. And so I was more committed to the importance of my time alone with God, more determined to be faithful in making this a priority. But it was still a struggle, and I often failed as the busyness of life made it difficult (or provided a good excuse).

I realized recently there has been yet another change in my approach to my quiet time. It’s still something I should do. It’s still something I need to do. But it has become something I want to do—actually, love to do. I love my time in the Lord’s presence. I love hearing Him speak through His word. I love being able to spend time in worship. I love sharing my heart and my needs to a Sovereign, Omnipotent Father who hears and cares. It’s no longer a duty but a desire.

I’m so thankful for those early stages that taught me the importance of spending time with God and my need for that time with Him. I’m so thankful for His faithfulness even when I wasn’t. But I’m grateful the should and need stages led to this time of wanting to spend time in His presence, of making it a priority, not out of duty, but out of love.

Wherever you are in this process, keep persevering because the time of finding pure joy in the presence of God is worth the wait.

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