Rhythms Making Time for God

The Rhythm of Making Time for God

Introduction

Let’s start with a question: What does your daily rhythm say about what matters most to you?

Whether you realize it or not, you already live by a rhythm. Think about it—your alarm goes off around the same time, you check your phone, scroll for a few minutes, get ready, head to school or practice, maybe hit a group chat, watch some videos, knock out homework (hopefully), and repeat. That’s rhythm.

A rhythm isn’t just something musical—it’s a pattern, a habit, a flow that your life naturally falls into. It’s what happens when something is repeated so consistently that it becomes second nature. You don’t think about it—it just happens.

And here’s the thing about rhythm: It’s harder to break than a task you only do once in a while. If you try to exercise once a month, it feels impossible. But if you do it every day, it becomes normal. If you only pray when you’re desperate, it feels awkward. But if you pray every day, it becomes natural. Rhythm creates momentum—and that momentum carries you even when motivation doesn’t.

So let me ask again: Is God in your rhythm… or just an afterthought? Because the rhythm of your life is either helping you walk in peace and strength—or it’s slowly draining your soul dry.

And tonight, I want to help you build a rhythm that starts with God and leads you to the kind of life you were made for.

Pray

1. Seek First – Matthew 6:33

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Jesus doesn’t ask to be part of your day—He asks to come first. That’s not just about reading a verse; it’s about starting your day with His purpose in mind. When God is first, everything else finds its place.

Illustration: Plugging In the Night Before

We’ve all done it—you wake up, grab your phone, and… dead. You forgot to plug it in the night before, and now everything’s off. No alarm. No messages. You’re scrambling.

That’s what life feels like when we don’t make time for God. And if we don’t feel like we are scrambling without God - maybe, just maybe we have become numb or desensitized to a rhythm that doesn’t include Him. Skipping time with Him is like skipping the charger. You start your day spiritually empty, then wonder why you feel drained, anxious, or overwhelmed.

Matthew 6:33 is your reminder: Plug in early. Seek first. You can’t walk in peace or purpose on an empty battery.

When we seek God first, we position our hearts to hear from Him—but that’s just the start. Because once we’re connected, God doesn’t just want our attention—He wants our honesty. That’s where pouring out and filling up begins.

2. Pour Out and Fill Up – Psalm 62:8 & Philippians 4:6–8

Psalm 62:8 ESV

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

We have an invitation - God asks us to bring everything to Him—our worries, fears, and frustrations. You don’t have to fake it, you don’t have to act tough. You don’t have to carry it alone.

Illustration: The Overflowing Backpack

Picture a student with a backpack stuffed with books, wrappers, and papers. The zipper won’t even close. Then someone hands them one more book, what happens if you try to shove that book into the backpack? The backpack will bust at the seams and its no longer useful.

That’s what happens when you keep stuffing in your stress, fear, and guilt—and never pour it out before God. Eventually, we break. We were not made to carry the burdens of this life apart from God

Philippians 4:6–8 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4 tells us to trade anxiety for peace—and the only way to do that is by making time to pray. When you pour out your heart to God, He fills you back up with what you actually need: peace that guards your heart and mind. Think about it - on your worst days where you feel like your heart or your mind has been attacked the most, were there other priorities in your life that had taken center stage?

When we make pouring out our hearts to God a regular rhythm, we experience His peace—but life won’t always stay calm. Storms will come, pressure will hit, and that’s why we can’t survive by connecting with God occasionally. We need to build trust before the crisis, not just during it.

3. Don’t Wait for the Storm

Luke 8:22–25 ESV

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

The disciples are out on the water with Jesus, just cruising across the lake, when suddenly—boom—a massive storm hits. Waves are crashing, wind is howling, the boat is rocking like crazy... and the disciples are losing it. Total panic. Buckets of water are coming in, and they’re convinced this is the end.

And where’s Jesus?

He’s napping. Like, full-on deep sleep in the back of the boat—while a storm is throwing the whole crew into survival mode. Jesus was so calm, so confident, so at peace… He was literally catching Z’s while everyone else was catching buckets.

They finally wake Him up, yelling, “Master, we’re dying!” And Jesus gets up—no panic, no stress—just speaks a word, and the wind and waves obey like obedient toddlers.

That’s the power of being connected to the Father. Jesus wasn’t freaking out because He knew who was in control. The question is… do we?

There are 2 key details here: Jesus was in the boat the whole time. He is right here, right now. The disciples just waited until the panic hit to call on Him. What about you?

Illustration: The Forgotten Study Guide

Imagine showing up to a major test totally unprepared. You had the study guide all week—but it stayed in your backpack. Now you’re begging for answers you could’ve had all along.

That’s how some of us treat Jesus. We wait for the panic, the heartbreak, the storm—and then we call out. But He’s been right there, ready to help all along.

You don’t need to wait for the storm to start trusting Him. Make time for Jesus before it hits. Let Him shape your rhythm now—so when life gets hard, you already know where to turn.

The disciples waited for the storm to cry out—but you don’t have to. You’ve got the chance right now, in calm or chaos, to build a rhythm that anchors you before life ever shakes you. So before we end tonight, here’s the real challenge: What kind of rhythm are you going to walk out of here with?

Closing Challenge: Plug In. Pour Out. Don’t Wait.

You already have a rhythm. Is it one that gives you life—or one that drains you?

I heard a quote the other day that was a gut punch. “Sin feels like freedom until you try to quit.”

Freedom isn’t found in sin, it isn’t found in busyness. Peace isn’t found in scrolling. It’s found in Jesus.

So tonight, you have a choice to make:

Will you Plug in to God daily and recharge your Spirit, your peace, your purpose?

Will you Pour out your stress, your anxiety, your sin in prayer to make room for His Goodness?

Will you create a rhythm that builds a relationship and Call on Him before the storm

Please hear me - You don’t need to be perfect—just consistent. Make time for God first, and the rest of your life will flow from His peace, not your pressure.

Pray

Tonight we’ve talked about rhythm—seeking God first, pouring out your heart, and not waiting for the storm. But now it’s your turn to respond. As we head to small groups, I want you to think about this: What part of your rhythm needs to change so God isn’t an afterthought, but the foundation? Engage in the conversation - learn from each other and support those in your small group that may need some encouragement to keep fighting to put God first.