A Ride on the Quiet Car
by John Grant
How do you maintain your quiet time with the Lord? Let our mentors encourage you today.
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Be Still and Know That I Am God (Psalm 46:10)
Hastily I finished my last appointment on Capitol Hill and made a mad dash for Union Station and not a minute too early, as I arrived one minute before the Acila Express left for New York. I presented my ticket and walked at a fast pace down to Track 15, where I jumped aboard the first Business Class car available. After stowing my luggage I settled in my seat just as the train slowly pulled out of the station. My cell phone rang and just as soon as I began the conversation a lady a couple of rows forward turned to me with her finger to her lips and pointing to the sign overhead which read “Quiet Car.”
The sign explained the rules of the Quiet Car: no talking, no cell phones, no standing in the aisles. In other words, that translates to be quiet and be still, so reluctantly, I did. Where I would normally pull out my lap top, do mail and make phone calls, now about all I could do was sit, read, watch and listen, and I did a little of each.
First, I took out my Encounter devotional and my Bible and proceeded to pour through the scriptures. I just sat back and listened …. Listened to God and listened to my inner self. I spent a lot of time looking out the window. A record snowfall had turned the countryside in to a winter wonderland. What a sight as the train picked up speed and we traversed the countryside of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I saw God’s majestic hand in the beautiful ice formations and in the drifts of snow. It was as if I could see God himself. It was an awesome quiet time and when the train pulled into Penn Station, I got off a rejuvenated man, all because I had jumped on the Quiet Car.
The experience on the train last week has given me a lot to think about, He is asking: “How are you with your quiet time.” I was again reminded of the need for a quiet time just yesterday as I checked into a hotel. When I got off the elevator, a large sign greeted me informing that I had entered a “Quiet Zone,” where “no children, leisure groups or circus animals will be assigned.” It further instructed that in this area there would be no loud TV, no slamming of doors and no loud singing in the shower.
God’s quiet time formula is much like His stewardship formula: “The more you give, the more you receive.” I have found that when I do carve out a time for God, preferably at the beginning of the day, though at first my schedule says I don’t have time, I have to respond and make time. And. When I do, somehow God always stretches my schedule and I am more productive than ever.
This is my busiest season of the year and so easy to shut God out of the schedule, but all the more reason for the Master to gently remind me, whether through a sign on a train or in a hotel, every day we need to be reminded to spend time with Him and then pull apart before you fall apart. I highly recommend a ride on the Quiet Car, actually or symbolically every day in every life. ( a thought on life from John Grant )
Questions:
Is your quiet time with the Lord something that is a priority in your life?
What can you do to increase it’s priority in your life?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/john_grant/
17 Responses to “A Ride on the Quiet Car”
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Just checked my e-mail: Welcome,Christina, and prayers for Amy :-}.
Amy, my prayers are with you. It is a hard time for sure and it is indeed grace that is letting you be calm about it and look to God at this trying time. As you follow the leads that you have, may God open the door that he knows is right for both you and your husband. Praise the Lord.
Sometimes i do skip my quiet time, todays’ devotional was a gentle rap across my knucles to remind me of my priorities. Thank you.
CHRISTINA Y
THANK GOD YOU FOUND THIS SITE. WE ARE “SISTERS IN CHRIST”. THIS SITE IS A VERY VERY SPECIAL DEVOTIONAL SITE, WE PRAY, CRY, SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND SO VERY MUCH MORE
WELCOME HOME
This helped me so much I was so distressed when I lost my van but after reading this devotionalI will use this time on the bus and trolley to listen to God.
Thank You for this
This devotional serves as a reminder that God took quiet time for himself. We too must make some time daily to do the same.
I, too, find my days go better when I meet with the Lord during the morning. I have that quiet time and then, also, quiet time when I go walking with my dog. There’s just something that being outside that really speaks to me. I see the wonder of God’s majesty. Also, I do not like to have a lot of noise going on during the day. I rarely have the TV on during the day. I listen to the Christian radio station KPDQ which has various Christian programs on it, and sometimes listen to music. However, I do not think I have “arrived” by any means. There are days when I do not seek the Lord in the morning. Oh, where does the day go when that happens?? I know I am just a baby when it comes to developing a prayer life with a prayer booklet. I’ve only been doing it for several months now. I feel like I am taking baby steps there. My words aren’t fancy, but I bring them to the Lord. I definitely do not pray like the Pharisees
Be encouraged though, I am lifting up the prayer requests mentioned.
Wow! I just woke up from a nap in a state of tranquility. My teen daughters were both in their rooms so I opened my email and chanced upon your blog. It was so inspiring as I had just completed a blog myself about the beautiful world we live in and how we have to find Peace in it despite what’s going on around us. Thanks for sharing this post, now I’m headed for a little quiet time of my own.
i know i need more qoite time withTHE LORD and will try alot harder to get it. i still have not heard from dr. yer so i guess i won’t know anything till monday
sharon b
Let the noise and clamor cease. Be still & know that He is God. Stand in Awe & be amazed. WOW!! I so needed this devotion today because it let’s me know that I’m exactly where I need to be. I love how God reminds me to Be Still (through signs, bumper stickers, and devotions) Yes, He so let’s me know to stop worrying and Trust Him in everything. I enjoy waking up at 4:00, listen to an inspirational song, and be still, in order to hear that still small voice within me. You are so right, that God will stretch my schedule when I seek ye first the kingdom of God, ALL thing will be added, even my schedule being stretched. P.S Amy, I will keep you and your husband in my prayers. May God Bless all of you ladies today!!! Lucy
Correction on Maria’s messeage We decided we can fail as long as we have His promise. With much christian love for you and yours,
Sorry for the type error what I meant to say is We can not fail as long as we have His promise….. AMEN
Amy,
Immediatly I am praying for you. God will not leave us or abandon us. He stands on his promise. Beliving it with all your heart, body and mind is what we need to pray for. In another words FAITH
Freind, I know your fears all to well. See my husband and I share your pain and your situation. Pray for us as well. We decided we can fail as long as we have His promise. With much christian love for you and yours,
Maria
“…pull apart before you fall apart.” Love this little “slogan.” :-}!
While todays devotional may not be super powerful, it is defintiely a gentle reminder to me of what is important.
A little update… my husband and I talked yesterday, never yelling or accussing but opening up and crying. Some hurt, some did not. We had a date night last night and went to dinner and a movie. We had a very much needed great time out. We acted as if dating again and allowed ourselves to be silly and natural. No talk of stresses or bills. I know God is going to heal me and him and our marriage. I also know your prayers were defintiely helping yesterday and I ask for them to continue.
If I could maybe add a little (major) something to that request… we are both out of work (me returning to the full time work force and he since our business failed) and well — things are VERY desperate right now. We have some leads. Please pray that we can find what we need to get out of this hole and provide for our family.
My prayers are with you ladies as well. I have read all the responses coming in and will be praying for each of you. I am not good on names yet so please forgive me. Take care ladies!
Once again we are being gentle reminded of where are our priorities & is Jesus Our Lord & Savior at the Top of the List? But also He can be at the top of our list but are we allocating enough time to be spent with Him? I know for me the answer is no & to be perfectly Honest can we ever spent too much time with Him? For me my time with the Lord is always an area that can use improvement & my prayer today is that I will always be striving to improve in that area of my life with the Lords help as I really don’t believe I will come to a point were I can honestly say I have arrived and am totally content with my time I spent with The Lord! God Bless Each & Everyone of You & Have A Wonderful Day!
Such a profound and much needed message. Sometimes while driving to work, I will turn off the radio and just listen to God. Sometimes I have a lot to say to him but most times I just like to listen because I know that when he whispers I want to be able to hear him clearly.
As I read the devotional today, it really hit home. I just started having a regular quiet time last October. I notice a big difference in my day when I sleep in and miss my normal time before the kids woke up. God has been doing big things in my life lately, and I know it is because I am learning to surrender to him in little things. I have a long road ahead of me, but I am looking forward to the ride.
THANK YOU JOHN. WHAT A SUGGESTION. “A RIDE ON THE QUIET CAR”. I LIVE ON THE TOP FLOOR OF AN 8 STORY APARTMENT BUILDING AND EVEN AT THIS TIME OF THE MORNING WHICH IS 5:55am EST. I HEAR ALL KINDS OF NOISES. SNOW BLOWERS, SALT TRUCKS, CARS, ETC AND SO ON.I NEED SOME QUIET TIME RIGHT NOW.
JOHN AGAIN THANK YOU YOU HAVE REALLY MADE ME STOP AND THINK TODAY.
GOD BLESS
CHRIS T.