Dearly Beloved in Christ,

In this post-modern world, we see physical fitness centers everywhere. People are increasingly conscious about their physical well-being. However, St. Paul offers us a deeper perspective on exercise, stating, “Exercise yourself towards godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul does not negate the necessity of physical exercise but reminds Timothy of its limited benefits. He highlights the everlasting value of spiritual exercise, which is profitable for all aspects of life, both now and in eternity.

We engage in various spiritual exercises: reading the Bible, praying daily, worshipping God, and helping those in need. However, we often overlook one essential spiritual discipline for our daily lives: the power of silence, also known as “quiet time.”

What does quiet time mean? It is a period set aside for silence during the day when we close ourselves off from mundane activities and open ourselves to the Lord. This is a time to delve deeper into the heart of Jesus and seek the reason for His boundless love for us. It is a time to move beyond knowing God with our minds and to start knowing Him with our hearts.

Our Lord Himself practiced this before beginning His daily ministry. St. Mark writes, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed” (Mark 1:35). St. Luke adds that as news of Jesus’ ministry spread, “great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” (Luke 5:15-16). Jesus knew He needed those quiet times to restore His soul. What is done in secret is what truly matters. It is during these quiet times that we, like Jesus, are shaped and moulded into people that God can use for His intended purpose.

Quite Time: The Power of Silence

We can use various methods to practice quiet time. It is more than just a daily appointment with God; it is like visiting a close friend. Good relationships require time and cannot be left as mere items on an agenda. They are lost if time is not specifically set aside for them. While modern culture worships efficiency and speed, God invites us to slow down and sit with Him for a spiritual feast of fellowship. Therefore, we must learn the power of silence and be willing to retreat with God to experience this spiritual feast.

Quiet Time: Focusing on Inner Self and Spiritual Disciplining

Paul also speaks about the importance of focusing on the inner self and spiritual discipline. In Philippians 4:8-9, he encourages believers to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, and to practice what they have learned and received. This emphasis on meditation and practice aligns with the concept of quiet time, where we set our minds on higher things and seek God’s guidance.

Quiet Time: Transformative Renewing of our Minds

Additionally, Paul mentions the importance of being transformed by the renewing of our minds in Romans 12:2. This transformation happens during our quiet times with God, where we allow Him to reshape our thoughts and attitudes, conforming us to His will. In Colossians 3:2, Paul instructs us to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Quiet time helps us to focus on heavenly things, providing the spiritual nourishment we need to live out our faith in a meaningful way.

Quiet Time: Experiencing God’s Presence

As we look at other biblical examples, we see many instances where quiet time with God is emphasized. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” This verse calls us to stillness, where we can recognize and honor God’s presence.

Another example is Elijah, who encountered God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12). It was in the quietness that Elijah truly heard God’s voice. Similarly, in Psalm 62:1, David declares, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.” This rest comes from a place of quiet trust and reflection.

Quiet Time: As Prayer and Communion

In the New Testament, we also see that after feeding the five thousand, Jesus sent the crowds away and “went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone” (Matthew 14:23). Jesus consistently demonstrated the importance of withdrawing to a quiet place for prayer and communion with the Father.

As God’s children, we should practice this spiritual exercise to grow spiritually. During our quiet time, let our prayer be, “Speak, Lord, in the stillness, while I wait on Thee; hush my heart to listen in expectancy.”

May we embrace the power of quiet time and find deeper communion with our Lord, growing in faith and spiritual maturity.

Blessings in Christ

Rev. Vinoy Daniel Vicar