who wants a quiet time, anyway?

I'm not sure where it started, this calling time spent with God "quiet time." Living in a house with 3 kids, 3 cats, and 1 dog, I can appreciate the need for a little quiet every once in a while. But I don't think I want my time with God to be quiet. "Quiet time" smacks of idyllic, pastoral scenes, butterflies and meadows...not a bad mental image, but that's not where I get my mail, if you follow me.

I want God to speak. Audibly. Plainly. Loudly. Jesus promises that his followers will hear his voice--read John 10 for his promise. For me, louder is better. I know that God revealed himself in the still small voice to Elijah. But that same God is the one who appeared to Israel as the cloud/pillar of fire, the rolling thunderous voice, leading them through the desert into the land of promise.

My ears need to be tuned to the voice of Jesus, to be able to hear that still small voice. But I absolutely want God to roar, to speak plainly, to cut through the clutter of daily life. I spend time with God each day, listening for his voice.

He tells me to be still, and know that he is God. I want my time with the God to be many things, but quiet is not on the list. So maybe quiet time is more about me being quieted, the buzz and roar of the day tuned out. Cell phones and email and ipods and tv shut down. If God wants to speak to me, he ought to get top priority. God certainly doesn't want to be quiet or silent.

Here's to a loud, explosive, challenging, authoritative, compelling time with the Most High God.