Have you ever looked at your Bible collecting dust on the shelf and felt that familiar pang of guilt? I know that feeling all too well. During my seminary years, living in the small town of Kosse, Texas, I found myself in what felt like an impossible schedule—full-time classes in Dallas, full-time pastoral ministry, and a brutal commute that began at 5 AM twice weekly. Those dark country roads, with their winding curves and occasional wildlife threats (feral hogs are no joke in Texas!), became the unlikely setting for a profound spiritual lesson: God doesn't require perfect conditions to meet us in His Word.
The Myth of the Perfect Devotional Time
The myth of the perfect devotional time haunts many believers. We picture a steaming cup of tea, a comfortable chair, soft music playing, and an hour of uninterrupted solitude with our leather-bound Bible and pristine journal. But for most of us, reality looks vastly different. Life rushes at us with endless demands—children needing attention, work deadlines looming, household responsibilities piling up, and the constant ping of notifications. We tell ourselves we'll get to Scripture "when things settle down," but that mythical moment rarely arrives. This waiting game often means we never open our Bibles at all.
God in Ordinary Moments
What I discovered on those exhausting drives changed my relationship with Scripture forever. The holiness of Bible study isn't about location or atmosphere—it's about God's presence in ordinary moments. My regular stop at a small Exxon station became sacred ground, where I'd grab my egg and sausage biscuit and take five minutes to read a Psalm before continuing my journey. That fluorescent-lit gas station became my unexpected sanctuary, teaching me that God shows up in the most ordinary places. Jesus himself often met people in everyday settings—by wells, on roads, at dinner tables—and He still does today. Our modern equivalent might be school drop-off lines, lunch breaks at our desks, or even grocery store parking lots.
Embracing Audio Scripture
My car became another unexpected classroom, where audio Scripture filled the miles with truth. Romans 10:17 reminds us that "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Those commutes transformed into opportunities to literally hear God's Word and let it grow my faith. The steady rhythm of tires on pavement became the background music for truth to sink deep into my soul. For you, those five minutes to the office or forty-five minutes to soccer practice could become powerful pockets of time redeemed for spiritual growth.
The Sustaining Power of Scripture
Another transformative realization was understanding that Scripture works like spiritual nutrition. Just as my gas station biscuit filled my stomach temporarily, a single verse of Scripture could sustain me spiritually throughout my day. We often think Bible study must be a formal banquet—hours of deep study and reflection—but there are seasons where we survive on "snacks" of Scripture. Jesus himself said, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Every word—not every chapter or commentary—just one word from God can feed your soul in ways nothing else can. On my busiest days, replaying a single verse became my fuel, keeping me steady and anchoring me when fatigue threatened to overwhelm.
Releasing Guilt, Embracing Grace
Perhaps the most freeing revelation was letting go of the guilt associated with imperfect Bible study. I had to release the Pinterest-perfect image of what devotional time "should" look like and embrace God meeting me in messy reality. Think about the woman in Mark 5 who touched Jesus' garment—she didn't have a long, structured meeting with Him. She reached out in a moment and was changed forever. Sometimes all it takes is five minutes, one verse, or a whispered prayer for God to do incredible work. When I released that guilt, I discovered freedom—my car became a sanctuary, a gas station became sacred space.
As you navigate the busy rhythms of life, remember that finding God in the in-between moments isn't about perfection, but about presence. You don't need an elaborate setup or prolonged time—just a willing heart to invite God into the everyday places. If you're ready to create space for spiritual nourishment amid your busy schedule, I invite you to explore how the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour can support you on this journey. Save your seat for an Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour + Peace RESET today → https://paulabehrens.com/coaching
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