Going up the Mountain: Making Space for God

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” 

Luke 6:12 NIV

It has been a while since I have felt inspired to write, and it feels really good to be back at the keyboard.

Yesterday, I spent the day outdoors with God. For me, that looks like three to eight hours in silence. Walking. Writing. Listening. Praying. Reading. Sometimes even sleeping. When a friend first invited me to try spending that much time in silence with God, I honestly had no idea how I would fill the hours. It felt overwhelming and a little uncomfortable. But after taking that first leap of faith, it quickly became something I began to crave.

What started as once a year turned into every six months. It grew to once a quarter. This year, it has become every month. This time is sacred to me. It is time set aside to be with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. A Date with my Dad.

As a mom, I felt a deep need for this space. A need to pause, to reflect on where I am, and to listen for what God might be speaking. Yesterday felt like sitting with an old friend on a front porch, gently rocking in chairs. We did not need to say much. We simply enjoyed being together. The silence itself was holy.

After that initial quiet, I felt a strong pull to write. My journal filled quickly. I could not write fast enough. This blog is the first of several that were born out of that time with God.

Do you know your love language? Yesterday it became very clear to me why I crave this extended time with God. Quality time is my top love languages. I spend time with God daily and throughout the week, and I am grateful for those moments. Sometimes they are rich and life giving. Other times, if I am honest, they can feel like checking a box.

These longer stretches of time with God are different. They feel more like planning a date with my husband. I look forward to it. I prepare for it mentally days, sometimes weeks, in advance. I watch the weather. I think about what we might do and what I should wear. In the same way, I prepare for this date with God. Time is intentionally set aside simply to enjoy His presence.

This kind of time allows me to connect at a deeper level. My cup fills. My God love tank overflows. I need a longer window because it often takes time for my mind to quiet and for my heart to settle. Sometimes it is not until the first hour passes that I can truly hear God’s voice or simply rest in His presence.

I call this my “up” time. It is part of a rhythm of daily, weekly, and seasonal practices of meeting with God. This rhythm is modeled over and over again by Jesus. In John 5:19, Jesus speaks about His dependence on the Father and listening for what to do. Repeatedly, He steps away from the people He loves to spend time alone with God. Luke 6:12 shows us Jesus intentionally going up the mountain to pray through the night.

Following His lead, this “up” time is where my relationship with God deepens. It is where I listen. It is where He reveals more of who He is. Every time, I am reminded that no matter how much I think I know about God, He continues to meet me in new and personal ways.

I want to gently challenge you to consider creating space for this kind of practice. If you are like me, it may feel uncomfortable at first. Here are a few simple ways to begin.

First, schedule a time. If four to eight hours feels impossible, start with ten or fifteen minutes.

Go outside or find a quiet room where you will not be disturbed.

Set a timer.

Ask a simple question like, “God, what do you want to reveal to me?” Or choose a Bible verse and read it slowly, paying attention to a word or phrase that stands out. Repeat it and sit with it.

Most importantly, enjoy His presence. God desires to spend time with you.

Then repeat, and schedule the next time.

A friend recently reminded me that even when a practice feels awkward or ineffective, do not give up. It is like exercising a muscle. Growth and strength come through repetition.

How do you create “up” time? 

What is your love language? 

Do you connect with God in a unique way? 

What fills your God cup? 

As Jesus did, retreat from the noise and spend time with God.