I’ve previously posted about being In my Chair. A place where I meet with God, sometimes called a ‘devotional’  or a ‘quiet time’. I included a couple of posts about some of the things I do that help me focus in those times.They’re all well and good (I hope!). In previous times these have been called ‘spiritual disciplines’. A title which is correct, if a little off-putting. ‘Discipline’ is not a particularly positive word these days, especially in a culture that makes a big deal of being able to do whatever we want whenever we want, and strongly resists being told what to do.
So why should I spend time in my chair? Does it make me a better person? What does it matter if I miss one (or two) days?
I’ve found that when I do miss a time in my chair, I feel a twinge of guilt, but also find it very easy to come up with a list of reasons why it’s ok.Here’s some of them:

• I don’t want to be legalistic 
• Actually, I know quite a bit of the Bible, so I don’t have to keep reading it
• It can be selfish to take time out on my own
• There are so many other things to do
• I don’t always get a ‘blessing’
• It can be a good thing to take a break

and so on. 
The problem is, even though it’s very easy to come up with a list like that, none of those reasons are very sound. They are what I call ‘headline reasons’ – they give a superficial reason for not going to my chair – but as soon as I think about them, get behind the headline, they’re not so convincing.For instance:

• I don’t want to be legalistic 
  • Legalism is about ticking boxes. Habits that are driven from the right motives are never legalistic. 
• Actually, I know quite a bit of the Bible, so I don’t have to keep reading it 
  • Really?!
• It can be selfish to take time out on my own 
  • Is it selfish to take time to eat/sleep etc?
• There are so many other things to do 
  • Jesus was incredibly busy, but he always found time to be alone with his Father
• I don’t always get a ‘blessing’ 
  • Which might mean I don’t always feel good, or nothing happens in the first two minutes
• It can be a good thing to take a break 
  • From the privilege of meeting with the Creator of the universe??

Now, such an exercise can be helpful, but I think we need something more than arguing that the reasons why not doing something are wrong. That tends to merely reinforce what we already knew – that our bad motives are bad.
What I need is a positive motive for sending time in my chair.
So here’s a few thoughts:
Firstly, we’re called 1 Cor 1:9. We are saved in order that we might have fellowship, that is ‘sharing our lives in common’ or ‘becoming friends’, with God. One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to turn our hearts towards God, and so the more time we spend with him, the more we will want to spend time with him.
Secondly, we’re invited. ‘Come to me…’ says Jesus (Matthew 11:28, John 7:37). We can come before God’s throne freely – even boldly. Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 3:11-12. So we we sit down in our ‘chairs’, it is in response to an invitation, which means we know that God wants us there. He wants us to meet with him.
Finally, we’re incredibly privileged. The presence of God is a fearsome place for sinners, see Isaiah 6:1-5, especially Isaiah’s reaction in verse 5. Simply – he is holy and we are not. But Jesus has dealt with the barrier that prevented us entering his presence, to the extent that we can now call God our Father. In Luke 11:2, Jesus says “When you pray, say Father…”. He has made us his sons and daughters 2 Cor 6:18, see also Romans 8:14-17. 
So our chairs are a place of calling, special invitation and incredible privilege.
And who’d want to miss that?