On a soap box...

Forgive me in advance, but I'm going to jump on a soap box for a minute...
    I'm not really sure where this idea came from that if we as Christians do x,y, and z perfectly then we will somehow be some greater than thou Christian. I mean what is that! It really makes me think of the pharisees. Working so hard to make sure you do the right thing to perfection that you totally miss what Christianity is really all about...Relationship. I'm going to preface my next statement with the fact that I firmly believe in order to grow as a Christian you have to read the Bible and pray. However...when you become a slave to the "quiet time" and you are doing it just because you are "suppose to," then I'd be willing to bet your goal is to be a good Christian. The problem is that when we spend time reading the Bible and praying our goal should be to get to know the God of the Bible, not to read the Bible because it will make me look good. If you are just reading words and not communicating with the God who spoke those words, you probably walk away thinking, "Well that was good, not really sure what it meant, but I sure do feel better having done my "quiet time." I've talked to so many people that feel like a bad Christian when they don't do their "quiet time" every day...for at least 30min...in a quiet spot...at 5am...with their study bible and journal...and 5 extra devotionals...and 30 more min of prayer. Do you see how far we can take this idea of  a "quiet time" to make someone feel that if they don't do it this particular way, then you aren't doing it right and you should feel bad about it? For me, this idea started in youth group. I can remember thinking, "Well that sounds boring...but if you tell me I have to do it to be a good Christian, then I guess sign me up." I had youth ministers that would even give out a step by step on how to have a good "quiet time." So I worked real hard at those systems but they always left me feeling really bored. Then one of my youth ministers introduced me to a very exciting God. One that allowed me to question and challenge my beliefs. One that always left me wanting more. This youth minister didn't push a "quiet time" on me, he introduced me to the True God of the Bible. That's all it took and I realized I rather get to know God and communicate with him, than settle for something boring. When I read my Bible and pray, its not because I have to to meet my "quiet time" qouta for the day. It's because I want to have a relationship with a thrilling God. I promise, if you will quit being a slave to the "quiet time" you will experience God in a whole knew way. And believe it or not....you'll find yourself praying and picking up your Bible to read it even when its not 5am...with a big study Bible... and 5 other devotionals...in total silence. Now doesn't that sound more like a real relationship to you?