When it comes to being aware that God is right here with us, most of us are blocked. Like a guy with foggy glasses, like a girl who has the radio cranked too loud to hear her GPS, there are some simple things we need to do before we can perceive what is so close.
This is the last in a series of ten posts that discuss things we can do on our own to let God into our heads and hearts. Any contact with God is renewing. So, in summary, here’s what we can do to spiritually recharge:
- Find beautiful quiet places to be alone undisturbed.
- Give yourself time alone in silence, undistracted by noise and the demands of people.
- Learn to meditate on true statements, repeating them while you breathe slowly and deeply.
- Examine yourself and confess to God the ways you have harmed yourself and others.
- Practice gratitude for what is in your life right here and now.
- Develop faith by praying for healing of physical, emotional and relationship problems.
- Surrender to God anything that is not good for you, or is taking the place of God in your life.
- Build a habit of reading the Bible often.
- Learn to study the Bible for yourself.
There’s a balance between spending time alone with God and experiencing God in community. Each needs the other, each feeds the other. People who want to seek God benefit greatly from worship services, service projects, Bible classes, prayer groups, retreats with spiritual directors. These are the things we tend to think of first when considering practicing a faith.
But following Christ is much more than practicing a religion. It is a relationship with the one who made us, saved us and loves us every moment of our lives. God really wants time alone with us. And whether we want it or not, we really need time with God.
Whether it’s once a week hiking in a forest, or every morning sitting in an armchair for fifteen minutes, our spirits can be continually renewed, like a fountain that never stops flowing. All we have to do is give God time and permission to work in us.
Good stuff!!
Thanks so much. Checked out your site and it looks great.
Colleen, you’ve given us so many meaningful ways to experience God! And I love that image of being renewed, like an ever-flowing fountain. Each of the suggestions you’ve presented keep the channels open!
Thanks Nancy! I’m using these 10 posts as a resource for retreats I’m leading with the high school and college interns at our church this summer. We’ve met in four hour chunks at Spring Grove and the interns have really appreciated some guided time alone with God.
Now that they’ve discovered the pleasure of quiet time with God, they’ll no doubt continue to enjoy the practice on their own. How satisfying for you, to have introduced them to the powerfull, life-changing habit!
again, you help rekindle the desire to be alone with God. thank you!
That is absolutely what I want to do. Thank you Marla!