The Joyful Approach: How to Infuse Playfulness into Your Quiet Time with God
If you’ve never sat in 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God, I’d highly recommend you try it. I’ve had the Lord bring the most beautiful imagery to my mind in just those powerful couple of moments. One of them stands out more than the others.
I was sitting at my desk with my hands out, palms open, ready to receive, and focusing on my breathing. I immediately felt stress melt from my body as images of God twirling me around like a dad with their kid sat behind my closed eyelids. My arms were extended in His grasp, feet lifted off the ground, and I was giggling as I went round and round. In those 2 minutes, we danced, jumped, skipped, laughed, and smiled together. When my timer went off, I sat there a few moments more with tears streaming down my face. I had no idea I needed that. But God did.
I believe God enjoys His creation and longs for us to enjoy His presence. Somewhere along the way, many of us, maybe unconsciously, have treated our relationship with God more like an employee-boss dynamic, rather than a father-child dynamic. But what great parent doesn’t want to make their kid giggle with glee and have wonder and excitement?
I believe you can experience joy, laughter, and a sense of playfulness in your relationship with God. And I also believe that’s a part of God’s character.
"And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'” —Matthew 18:2-4
While this scripture is referring to trusting in the knowledge/power of God and remaining humble, it also emphasizes the surrender children naturally have with a parent. They aren’t anxious and distraught over whether or not the bills will be paid on time– they can play and enjoy being a child, knowing their needs will be met. We should approach our relationship with our Heavenly Father in the same way.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the different ways you can start infusing joy and delight into your quiet time with God.
Photography: KAM-ERA
When you picture the phrase “quiet time,” what visuals come to mind? Do you envision a scholar-type sitting in the library with a stack of books beside her, wire frame glasses, and a wool cardigan draped over her shoulders? Or maybe, it’s the very Instgrammable candles lit-coffee poured-and-ready-cozy blanket-back against the armrest of the living room couch-with lofi Christian instrumentals on the TV-vignette. Maybe you imagine an hour-long session, detailed notes, fancy highlighters, and in-depth study of the Word. Every. Single. Day.
Perhaps some days can look like this, but this doesn’t have to be the only way. A quiet time with God doesn’t have to feel like an arduous chore, solemn, serious, long and formal. Look with me to 2 Samuel 6:12-22:
"And it was told King David, 'The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him because of the ark of God.' So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn."
This passage describes how David danced with all his might before the Lord while the Ark of the Covenant was being brought to Jerusalem. His dance was an expression of joy, celebration, and worship. David's dance is a memorable moment in the Bible that signifies his deep reverence and enthusiasm for God's presence.
Here are some fun ways to start incorporating this kind of joy into your…
Photography: KAM-ERA
Worship
Paint your favorite scripture
Print the lyrics to your favorite worship song and draw on the page as you listen to the song out loud
Write your own Psalm
Prayer
Write 5 things you’re believing God for and make a collage to visualize it
Go on a prayer walk around your neighborhood
Text 3 friends asking how you can pray for them, and send them a voice recording of you doing so
Bible Study
Make the promises of God personal by replacing the pronouns with your name
Commit a scripture to memory by writing it over and over again on a taped piece of paper on your wall
Submit your emotions to God and let Him guide you with scripture to read
Many believe there’s only one way to have a quiet time with God and it has to feel like a chore or a homework assignment. By inviting playfulness and creativity into it, you can enjoy the time you spend with God. When you enjoy it, you look forward to it, and then you go from dreading and avoiding it to showing up eagerly each day. Start with some of the ideas in this blog, but if you’re ready to take it further, take a look at our Creative Quiet Time Journal for 30 creative prompts and activities to encounter God daily.
“I looked forward to each day in the journal and didn’t want to look ahead so I could stay surprised.”
