Leaving Room for God in Your Calendar
Your Nightly Prayer
Tonight’s Scripture
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 NLT)
Something to Ponder
Each morning, as I allow my first cup of coffee to do its work, I flip open my tablet to read a morning devotion. Before I begin, I take a quick glance at the calendar. I like reminding myself of the day’s plans while also getting an overview of the week ahead. It thrills my soul when I see patches of white space on the calendar!
White space means just one thing—an un-rushed day. But those white spaces are few and far between. Mostly what I see are days filled with commitments, proudly displayed in all their color-coded glory.
About a year ago, I traded a fancy daily planner for an app on my phone. I thought using an electronic calendar would save time, allowing me to fill more of the beautiful blank spaces I longed for. Unfortunately, I realized the calendar app is just as easy to fill as the paper version that once graced the top of my desk. I discovered the key to leaving room for God on my calendar was not in becoming more efficient, but in gaining a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 shares a foundational truth to cling to when our schedules get out of control: “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
Tonight’s focus verse reminds us to cherish the time we have. Life is short; our days are numbered. Even with our best intentions, time slips away, leaving us with regret over how we spent our days. But when we seek God’s wisdom, he will show us how to appreciate each day as a gift. He will help us realign our priorities, so we always have time for what matters most.
Maybe tonight, you’re dreading looking at your calendar in the morning. You may have unintentionally overfilled the days ahead, and now you see little room to rest in God’s presence. Or maybe your calendar has been empty for far too long, and your days seem to fade from one to the next, leaving you feeling unfulfilled. Whatever awaits us tomorrow, let’s embrace a renewed appreciation for life's brevity and ask God how we should plan our days. True refreshment will come, and it begins with putting our Lord first.
Your Nightly Prayer
Dear God,
Forgive me for not always leaving room for you in my calendar. There is no one more important than you, yet so often distractions and busy schedules get in the way of my time with you. Help me prioritize what matters most in life, beginning with you. You are my Creator, my Provider, and my loving Father. Your presence brings joy and peace into my life. I am at my best when I start my day by spending time with you. You fill me with your love, which spills over into everything else I do and everyone I meet. Help me see the white space on my calendar as opportunities to slow down, invite your presence, and hear your voice. Thank you, God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Three Things to Meditate Upon
Think about where in your day you can make more time to spend with the Lord. Moments spent in his presence don’t have to be long—even 5 or 10 minutes reconnects us with God in the midst of busy schedules.
As you prepare for sleep, ask yourself if your priorities feel out of alignment. If so, ask the Holy Spirit to help you realign your heart with his.
Reread tonight’s key verse, and ask God what he wants you to take away from it in this season of your life.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
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