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“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:2 (ESV)

Nothing more fun than a special date with your spouse or dinner with a dear friend. Quality time carved into an already packed week. No children to feed. No homework to do. No tv screen blaring in the backdrop. No social media interruptions. Just one on one time – adult talk at its finest. Catching up on all the things we didn’t have time to share. Simply enjoying the conversation.

Ever had a date night with God? You know just pulling ourselves away from everything else on our agenda. Blocking out our calendar and allowing no excuses to happen. Preferring His presence over everything else.

During my single years, God sweetly invited me to leave margin in my every Monday for just Him. No tv. No dinner. No phone calls or texts. No activities stealing away our time. The perfect start to my week – a fasting away from anything other than the One who sought my undivided attention.

Now I must admit those first few Mondays seemed awkward and long. The tempting excuses usually occurred – an invite for dinner or an event I really didn’t want to miss. Perfectly scheduled on Mondays. Yes, it was challenging to release my desires to be present in all things so I could receive the gift of His presence above all else. Reluctantly, I would decline and sulk through the evening. Fasting my Mondays didn’t seem to be working for me. Too hard and too much too give up.

Ever been there when God called you away from something so He could give you more of Him? His intentional pursuing may be challenging, hard and uncomfortable at first. But I learned after many Mondays to press through and lean into God’s wisdom and clarity. Listening became an art I’d never attained and seeking became a gift I would forever cherish. He had my undivided attention and together we simply enjoyed the pleasure of conversation.

Wouldn’t dare trade those years of Mondays fasting. Pivot season in my life where I needed God more than I even dared to think. Blessed in silent reflection and sweet fellowship. Through laughter and tears, I drank deep of His guidance, holiness and grace – best Mondays of my life.

“Father, You invite us to draw close – to leave everything and come sit at Your feet. Broken, tired, defiant, sin covered, distracted – we are all welcomed in Your presence.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life