Quiet Time

Quiet time…the elusive prey of the Christian walk. 

It’s something we know we should devote ourselves to each day but somehow, life seems to have a way of invading.  I have spent more than my fair share of time making promises to get up earlier and have a devotion but my life as a sleep-deprived parent always seems to take precedence.

I am a real estate agent by trade which puts me in my car for much of the typical day so last Friday was no exception.  I was delivering flyers to my client’s when I noticed a neighboring home that seemed to have a fantastic yard overlooking a common area with pasture and woods.  I was intrigued so I stopped to take a closer look and noticed an unmarked trail bordering their property which lead into the woods.

Understand, I was dressed in typical Realtor garb…chino’s, a polo shirt and dress shoes (the official uniform of the casual agent, you know).  Tossing aside my pressing schedule which included a lunch appointment, I decided to explore the trail.  Pushing through a bit of brush, the trail opened up into a wide dirt path strewn with roots, leaves and the occasional fallen branch from a series of recent storms.   As I walked, I couldnt help but to relish the cool spring temperatures and the pungent aroma of the forest…the kind you get after a hard rain.  I walked on, thanking God for drawing me into the woods and asking Him, “Is there anything you want to talk about today Lord?”

I walked for several hundred yards when I heard a loud noise, clearly from that of a wild animal.   Naturally, the “male” in me had to push forward to see what beast was making such a racket.  I quickened my pace in the general direction of the sound and soon found myself at the edge of a marshy area bordering Lake Brandt.  I carefully stepped as close to the shore as my loafers would allow and squatted down on a fallen tree which gave me an unobstructed view of a small tributary which feeds the lake. 

Just then, I was surprised by two beavers which swam within yards of my post.  Unnoticed, I sat motionless as they continued to play together in the water, splashing about and carrying small branches back and forth across the river.  Wow…what a gift!  I felt like I was filming my own Discovery Channel special.

You see, I absolutely LOVE spending time out in God’s Creation, especially if it involves a body of water.  It’s hard for me not to sense God’s presence in a place as glorious as this and today was no exception.  All at once, from out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a flash of white to my left.  I leaned forward to discover the largest swan that I have ever seen!  It coasted through the water, cutting a wake like a small boat, preening and primping his feathers all the while.  It was as glorious and unexpected a site as I have never seen.  I have never seen a swan at this lake in my many years of visiting it. 

God’s Spirit has become known to me as the Wild Goose, a term used by Celtic Christians which signifies His unpredictability and wildness.  It was just like the Lord to place a magnificant wild goose in my path this day to remind me that He can meet me at the most unexpected times if I am in a position to listen for Him…if I am willing to heed His call.

There is no need to heap guilt on myself for not partaking in artificially created “quiet time”.  I have come to understand that it is the Wild Goose who pursues me. 

It’s not Him that is absent…He is constantly pursuing those who will simply slow down and make a choice to listen to His voice.