Jim Hampton - Sacred Time: Living in the Presence of God

Copyright 2009 by Jim Hampton, Amy Brothers, and Barefoot Ministries

2011 eISBN 978-0-8341-5066-9

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Mike Wonch
Assistant Editor: Stephanie McNelly

Cover Design: Brandon Hill
Interior Design: Sharon Page

All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

From The Message (TM). Copyright 1993. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2009923607

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This book is dedicated to the thousands of teenagers weve
had the opportunity to work with over the years and the
thousands more we hope to work with. It is our prayer
that you will find this resource helpful in your
passionate pursuit of intimacy with God.

CONTENTS

Introduction
DEVELOPING A RHYTHM TO OUR LIVES

The fact that youve picked this book up tells me that youre interested in, or at least intrigued by, the idea and practice of spiritual disciplines. Youre not alone. There is a tremendous hunger among Christians today, especially teenagers and college students, for deeper encounters with the living Christ. We want desperately to know Him so that we can better serve Him and follow His will for our lives. Often the problem is that we dont know how to do this.

Historically, the church has looked to certain practices that it viewed as beneficial in its efforts to help Christians in their journey toward Christlikeness. These practices were developed and refined by previous generations of Christians as they sought to discover who God was and what He wanted them to do. We often refer to these practices as spiritual disciplines.

They are called disciplines not because they have to do with punishment, but because they are like any mental or physical training which disciplines us to do something better. In fact, the term discipline comes from the same word as discipleone who follows after anotherand suggests that all disciples of someone are engaged in exercises or practices which help the disciple better follow their leader.

In order to develop a deeper knowledge of and relationship with God, we must begin to build patterns in our lives which allow us to better hear Gods voice. We are all creatures of habit, tending toward doing the same things over and over. The only way that we can begin a new habit is by disciplining ourselves to engage in it regularly. Over time the new practice will become habitual, meaning we will eagerly desire and make space for the habit on a regular basis.

According to Scripture, the faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is one who holds fast to the Lords teachings, practicing them until they become a daily habit. In other words, spiritual disciplines are practices we regularly engage in which help us mature as disciples. As we practice these disciplines over and over, they nourish us. Not only do they give us what we need to survive in the world, but they allow us to flourish, helping us become fully alive to all that God has in store for our lives.

The purpose of spiritual disciplines is our total transformation. Jesus asks no less than that we give Him our lives. Nothing is to be held back in order to allow Jesus to have complete and total control. Spiritual disciplines do this by replacing old destructive habits with new life-giving habits. They allow us to be refined by the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit and reveal to us our sinful habits, our unchristian tendencies, and our attempts at governing our own lives. The disciplines also provide us with a vision of what should be, as we look to the life of Jesus as our model.

Perhaps a story will help you better understand the impact that the spiritual disciplines can have on us.

Six years ago, I (Jim) went to the doctor. I had bronchitis and needed some medicine to help me get well. My doctor, a family friend, asked if we could do a full physical, as we had not done one in several years. When the results came back, they were not good. His question to me was, How long do you want to live? You can imagine that got my attention! He was blunt, telling me that I had a greater than 75 percent chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years. He went on to say that there was a 70 percent chance I would not live beyond 60 years of age unless I made some major changes to my lifethe primary one being that I had to lose a substantial amount of weight.

At that time, I weighed over 350 pounds! Im a big man normally (Im 64"), but at that weight I was morbidly obese. I would come home from the office and just be absolutely worn out. Once I sank in the recliner, I was effectively done for the evening, unable to play with my kids or to do anything with my wife.

I knew that I needed to make the changes, but just could never get the motivation to do the things necessary (diet and exercise) to do it. Let me tell you, when I heard my doctors prognosis, I had the motivation I needed! With my doctors guidance, we created a diet and exercise program that was manageable. We purposely avoided fad diets, as we wanted something I could do long term, even the rest of my life if necessary. My wife and I bought a treadmill for Christmas that year, and I started walking. Well, I just slogged my way throughwhen I first started a half-mile would wear me out!

Eventually, the pounds started coming off, as well as the inches. Within 6 months, I had lost over 50 pounds. It took another year to lose another 50 pounds and then ultimately another 30, for a grand total of 130 pounds lost! I literally feel like a new person, as I have the energy to spend time with my family, to do the work I want to do, and participate in the sports I enjoy.

Its hard to believe that 6 years ago I could hardly do a half-mile. Now, in the last year, Ive run 2 marathons and a couple of half-marathons! To use a phrase, Ive come a long way, baby!

I think my story of losing weight has some important similarities to the role of spiritual disciplines in our lives.

First, I had to recognize that there was a need and then decide I wanted to change. Even though I knew that I needed to lose weight (the fact that very few of my clothes fit me was probably the first giveaway!), it wasnt until my doctor explained the negative consequences of continuing to be overweight that I finally was moved to action. Then I really understood just how important it was for me to change, or risk dying. But truthfully, I couldnt do it on my own. I needed the advice of my doctor. I needed the support of family and friends.

In a similar way, all of us have to recognize that the only way we can be healthy in our spiritual lives is by recognizing our absolute need for God and then making the decision to start using the disciplines necessary to get to know Him better. Keep in mind, we dont do it by ourselves. We need the support of our Christian brothers and sisters, those members of our faith community who can encourage and support us, teach us, and join us on the journey toward Christlikeness.

Second, when I began my exercise program, I chose exercises which fit me and my schedule. I also had to be open to exercises which I might not like but were truly good for me. In looking at my schedule, I decided that I could give about 60 minutes a day to exercise. Initially, this meant doing some walking on the treadmill and some light weight lifting. I enjoyed these exercises and they could easily fit in my schedule. However, as the doctor pointed out, over time my body would get used to these exercises and it would take either more time doing that exercise or I would need to switch up what I was doing in order to achieve the same results.