"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."   - Isaiah 55:8–9

I want to know the thoughts of God. I want to gather with people who have been reading God’s words, people who have prayed and interacted with him. I want to fellowship with those who fellowship with God. I couldn’t care less if you have a doctorate in theology or sixty years of life experience. I would rather talk with a fifteen-year-old who has been in the presence of God.
What is our greatest need today?  I think when we consider the world, and the state of the church - it’s greater intimacy with Jesus. It’s not about more resources - more books and sermons about Jesus. It may sound blasphemous to suggest our prayer lives may be weakened by all of the consumption of Christian material. Nonetheless, I want to throw it out there.
We live in a time when most people have a difficult time concentrating on anything. We are constantly looking for the quick fix and for faster solutions. So the thought of sitting quietly to meditate on Scripture and praying deeply in silence can be eagerly replaced by listening to a sermon while driving to work. While it’s definitely better than nothing (considering all of the other messages we are bombarded with daily), the point is there is no substitute for being alone with God.  It was simple for Paul. He loved being with Jesus.

“To live is Christ, and to die is gain”  -Philippians 1:21

Knowing Christ deeply consumed him (Philippians 3:8). There is no substitute for being alone with God. If you don’t have time, you need to quit something to make room. Skip a meal. Cancel a meeting. End some regular commitment. There is literally nothing more important you could do today.  God literally determines whether or not you take another breath.

“He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything”   - Acts 17:25 

Could anything be more important than meeting with the One who decides if you live through this day? Could anything be better? How can we not make time to be with Him? What plans do you have today that you think so important that you would race past the Creator to get to them?