It’s frustrating when you wake up early specifically to read your bible then fall straight back to sleep isn’t it! With school, homework, socialising, eating and sleeping it’s difficult to find time for God.
As the A21 UK director and Hillsong youth pastor, Charlie Blythe still manages to prioritise her devotional time amongst her busy schedule. She has a journal where she reflects on what she’s read in the bible in the most creative ways – Girl Got Faith loves it! We managed to sneak a minute with Charlie to quiz her on all things devotional.
Do you have a bible reading routine or is it just wherever whenever?
I tend to have quiet time in the morning before work. I read a few scriptures to get me set for the day! Nothing sets you up better than the word of God!
How do you decide what to read?
I normally do a daily devotional in the mornings and read the scriptures that are linked to that. However I make sure I always study the text for myself too. I remember Robert Ferguson once talking about studying your bible and he said ‘If you always get your information from messages, devotionals, books or podcasts, you’re always getting second hand information’. Ever since then I have been inspired to make sure that I get FIRST HAND information for myself. You can’t rely on someone else’s revelation of the text, you have to get your own.
We love all the things you write and draw in your special journal from your devotionals. What made you start doing this?
The more I read about my creator, the more creative I find I become! Everyone has different styles of how they read, journal, process and reflect on things and I guess this is how I find it easiest when it comes to reading the bible.
What tips would you give us to help us get the most out of our time with God?
My biggest tip is to start by giving thanks. Start by praising Him. It can be easy to start our time with God with a long list of everything that’s wrong in our lives and everything we need but you’ll find that if you start by giving him praise your whole spirit and attitude starts to change right from the offset.
When would you suggest is the best time for a devotional?
Pick a time that works for you and then try and commit to that. Maybe its 20 mins in the morning before school while you’re eating your brekkie. Maybe it’s 20 minutes in the evening just before bed. Time with God shouldn’t be out of an obligation, because you feel guilty or you feel like you have to, time with God should always be because you want to. When you want to do something, when it’s your heart’s desire, you’ll always find time.
What’s your favourite book of the bible and why?
Hmmmm…. that’s a tricky one. I always like reading at least one Proverb a day as they just ooze so much wisdom!
Check out Charlie’s Instagram page @charlieblythe for some journal inspo!
