God Issues Today: "Tribal Enthusiasm"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

I assume you'll be watching the Super Bowl at home this Sunday. If the NFL has its way, those at the game will think they're doing the same. Today's New York Times reports on the trend toward stadium high-def screens. For instance, the Cowboys' new stadium will have one measuring 160 by 71 feet. But one NFL official isn't worried about keeping up with home television. He says that nothing can replace the "tribal enthusiasm" of being at the game. Football is the ultimate in-stadium spectator sport, he claims.

Listening to God isn't. We have seen that the first step to hearing God's voice is knowing that he wants to speak to us. The next step is staying close enough to our Father to detect his Spirit and hear his voice. Here many of us have grown up with an approach to spirituality which needs to be changed.

Are you familiar with the concept of a "quiet time"? I'm not sure where this particular activity got its name, but it seems to have become popular in the 70's. It is an approach to the spiritual life which centers on a specific time set apart to be alone with God. Various methods have been suggested; for instance, the "9-59" plan scripted 9 minutes and 59 seconds of "quiet time," while the "29-59" plan did the same with 29 minutes and 59 seconds. (I was always afraid of going over my allotted time.) Other approaches have been popular through the years as well.

All of them have in common the belief that we need to make a specific appointment each day with God, preferably as soon as possible. A musician doesn't perform and then warm up; a race car driver doesn't finish the event and then put gas in the car. We are told to begin the day with God in worship, prayer, and Bible study. Jesus often got up early to be alone with his Father (cf. Mark 1:35)—we should follow his example.

I agree with everything I've just written, so what needs to be changed? The assumption many of us make that once we have finished our "quiet time" we have met our spiritual responsibility. Get up in the morning—exercise—walk the dog—get the paper—eat breakfast—spend time with God. Check the religion box. I'm confident that no one advocating a "quiet time" intended us to limit our experience with God to it, but that's what has happened with many of us.

Try being married one hour on Sunday and a few minutes each morning. (Actually, don't.) Do you know a profession which can be practiced in the time you spend in a church service and in your "quiet time" with God? Our Lord wants us to begin the day with him, but then walk with him all through that day. How do we do this? Let's continue later.