When I was a young man, a friend invited me to join him in establishing a "consistent quiet time," as he put it. I knew that regular Bible reading, prayer, and worship were essential, and I wanted to spend time with God. But my friend's plan never worked for me. I would stay with his routine for a week or two, rising early each morning to work my way through a regimen of reading and praying. It was a discipline I imposed on myself—like doing 50 push-ups every day. But I couldn't sustain the effort. In time I gave up, not knowing how to satisfy my longings to spend time with God.

Then one day I stumbled across something Jesus said to the woman at the well: "The Father is seeking" those who will worship Him "in spirit and truth" (John 4:23). That's when I realized that God was taking the initiative, putting in my heart those longings for time with Him.

The psalmist said he responded to the Lord's call to "seek My face" (Psalm 27:8). It's the idea of God longing for fellowship with me that now draws me into His presence. My quiet times with God are no longer a dreary duty, but a response to my Father who yearns to spend time with me.

Do you hear your Father calling to you?  — David H. Roper