It was early December. Winter was starting to kick in — real winter. This was the season that pushes your hands into your pockets when you’re walking from building to building, shoulders hunched as the wind seeps under your autumn jacket because you haven’t yet brought your heavy one from home.
Chapel has ended, and I’m sitting in the Dixon Ministry Center. I know I have to have my prayer time. But in all honesty, I just don’t feel like it today. My mind is everywhere, and I’ve got so much to do. What I need is a change of scenery to clear my head. I stare out the window, where sad clumps of brown leaves collect along the curb. I don’t want to go out there, but I know I need to. I slip on my headphones, play my recent background music of choice (Austin Wintory’s Journey soundtrack), and step out into the elements. I clench my jaw and try not to shiver. A soft yet biting breeze threatens to numb the tips of my ears. I pull my hat further down and walk faster, putting more vigor into my steps.
With each stride, I think about everything weighing heavy on my mind, every brick in the wall I’d put up between God and me today. And soon, I’m praying. It starts out forced as I trudge over to the sidewalk across from Mom and Dad’s Dairy Bar. I can’t form the words in my head, so I default to the Lord’s prayer from Matthew 6.
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…
The chill made my nose wet, and I pushed even harder. All my frustrations came to a head around our daily bread. One by one, I listed them out to God. The thud of my sneakers against pavement kept me in a rhythm. Within a few minutes, I wasn’t cold anymore. I crossed the street somewhere near Ambassador Hall and veered into a quiet neighborhood. Leftover pumpkins on porches still charmed me. The Christmas-light-beaded shrubs and housetops made me slow my steps, remembering why they were there in the first place. Suddenly, I interrupted myself to thank God for it, praising Him for all the little signs that remind me He is faithful.
It’s even easier when it’s warmer. Sometimes I prefer to walk downtown toward Orion Coffee and Tea. I pass by some cottages and talk to God about them, the way their wind chimes chant and cushioned swings creak. The way ivy and morning glories adorn walls and garden plots. And I think about what eternity must look, smell, and feel like.
Walking through Cedarville reminds me that God is good. It also gives me something to look forward to when I head outside, seeing all those pretty things and exploring new side streets. When I return, my cheeks are flushed, but in the best way.
It’s been a while, though, since I’ve had my quiet time outside. I’m from Ohio. I can take some chill, but I reach a point in the winter where it ceases to be even remotely enjoyable. One thing I’ve realized about prayer is that it’s not easy. Many times, especially when I’m swamped with schoolwork and I’ve done nothing but chase my tail all week, I don’t feel like spending time with God. Even getting in the Word becomes a chore. I can’t sit for one quiet moment without irrelevant thoughts cutting the connection. But when I finally do finish a quiet time session, it’s like I’ve just stepped out of an “everything” shower. My stress level is down, and I can think clearly, no matter how distracted I was at the beginning.
One thing that has helped keep me on my toes is picking the right location. I like to skip around from place to place. Walking is nice because there’s always something to see. This can distract some people, but for me, it tends to keep my mind moving in the right direction. I can stick my headphones in and let the music overtake some of the white noise around me. Of course, if you’re walking outside, you must be careful to ensure you can still hear cars. But if you’re inside in a place like the rec center, you have more freedom to tune out. Going to the same place every day may work best for you if you love routine. For me, personally, I get bored of places quickly and need variety.
Last semester, my favorite place for quiet time was the upper Stevens Student Center comfy chairs that face the lake. I would curl my legs beneath me, open my laptop, look out at the sun as it sliced ripples on the water, and praise God for it in my “prayer journal” document (which, by God’s grace, is now 300 pages). This semester, being that I don’t have classes directly after chapel, I often go to the upstairs section of the dining hall. I’ll find a small table in the corner or a booth by the window and pray in my journal for 15 minutes as I wait for the lines to die down. Afterward, when I get my food, I’ll sometimes listen to the Word using Bible Gateway as I eat.
Maybe you’re the type that needs complete silence to commune with the Lord. They call it “quiet” time for a reason, after all. One place I love to go, especially later in the afternoons, is Williams Hall. Just a short walk from the Tyler Digital Communications Center, Williams is a sleepy little building with couches in the upper hallway that are just perfect for sprawling out, closing your eyes, and tuning in to Jesus. Just try not to fall asleep!
When you arrive on campus, be willing to explore! There are peaceful spots all over campus that might become your go-to quiet time spot, so don’t be afraid to walk around and look!
Lastly, while I have not personally used this space during my time at Cedarville, I must mention the Dixon Ministry Center’s prayer room. In this gently lit room, there are areas on the wall where people place their prayer requests written on Post-it notes. There are chairs set up, often arranged in a circle. Students can spend time with the Lord in such a place knowing that many of their classmates have also prayed here. They can even pray for the prayers folded along the wall. They can bring their Bibles (or earbuds) and listen closely to the Word without outside chatter or bustle. The prayer room is a sacred space, reminding its visitors, through waves of quiet and the occasional echo from the Jeremiah Chapel, that they are never alone. Whether you prefer the stillness of an empty room, the hustle of the dining hall, or wind and birdsong accompanying your daily time with Christ, Cedarville holds so many options. You’ve come to the right school, my friend. I recommend praying about which locations would be the best for you and trying out different spots to see which ones help you stay focused and listen clearly.
Major and Year of Graduation: English, class of 2025.
Favorite Study Spot: The couches in Williams Hall.
Favorite Music Artist: Needtobreathe.
Favorite Quote: “First you go with the horse. Then the horse goes with you. Then you go together. – Tom Dorrance
What do You Like to do in Your Free Time? Write creatively, work with horses.
Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 43:1-2.
Tags: #advice, #cedarville, #college, #experiences, #helpful, #personal, #student, #studentguide, #students, #tips
Posted in: Practical Tips, Student Guide, Student Life, Uncategorized