Helpful Hints: Need a Lift in your romance?

Of course I mean in your relationship with God.

As the winter chill takes over our city, I’m reminded of the many Novembers when my growth in knowing God would plateau with the dropping temperatures.  It would subtly slip from being a relationship to becoming a routine.  But in recent years I’ve found the following tips have helped to keep my relationship with God alive:

1) Change up the setting now & then- I am a strong advocate of morning prayer, but sometimes it’s hard finding the time to journal and study the Word as much as I’d like during those times.  What has helped is to find a different place, a few times a week and later in the day, to focus only on journaling or in depth studying of the word that doesn’t fit during morning prayer.  My favorite spots at U of M: Grad Reading room, 6th floor of the stacks, facing the Law Quad. it’s especially beautiful in the late mornings.  Douglas Chapel in FCC. Espresso Royale right at 9am. And the Law Library reading room - late mornings are best. Also, having a warm cup of tea during these times would increase my anticipation for these occassions…a cozy time where I can cuddle up with God.

2) Take a vacation - not away from God, but with God.  I’ve done vacations in various ways and lengths.  One year I took monthly half day retreats to bookstores or waterfronts (weather permitting) to read and reflect.  The following year I took a week long hiking trip in Utah thanks to frequent flyer miles.  This winter I hope to take a road trip somewhere warm with a good friend.  I think we all know about the importance of taking personal retreats–but what has helped about these retreats was the commitment to set aside special times and experiences with God.  These are the rare opportunities where my time is unhurried, so rather than filling up my vacation with busyness in the form of entertainment, I make sure to set aside a few hours each day where I can read, pray, worship, study the word, journal, and take walks for reflection.

3) Use an aid -I’m surprised at how many women I know approach their daily personal times with God like a lottery; by just opening up to whatever part of the bible and reading the random passage of the day. I definitely don’t recommend this, since it doesn’t seem to be a strong approach to learning without some kind of thematical or chronological order.  I would strongly suggest using some kind of schedule or aid that would best fit our spiritual needs.  The Bible reading plan that we have at HMCC is great for those who have never read through the bible.  There are several resources out there for book studies or topical / thematic studies.  Here are my recommendations:

- Lifechange Study Series - in depth study of the books of the bible (one study per book).  One chapter can be very hefty to do on a daily basis, so I would recommend doing half a chapter a day, or using this once a week to supplement another plan

- Experiencing God  - I did the workbook version which might be hard to find today.  But this helped provide the structure, explanation, and thematic focus I needed to start off a daily devotional. It also helped me focus on my relationship, and not my routine, with God.

- Walk Thru the Bible - I am currently going through this a second time.  It covers the bible in a year, which can be daunting at times since I feel like I’m taking in so much in one day.  But occasionally I take one day a week to do a chapter of a lifechange series study so that I can regularly be digging deeper into a smaller portion of scripture.

4) Reflect on a regular basis - this has become, by far, the best thing I’ve done for my faith in the past year.  I used to be a journaling addict in college, but I lost that discpline after graduating.  I decided to pick it up again, and have made the commitment to journal on a daily basis…even if it’s only a few sentences.  This has been a great avenue to grow in my relationship with God because it allows me to listen for His voice at the end of the day.  This usually leads to daily repentance of all the thoughts, motives and actions that I realized were sinful.  And I either document these things as areas of prayer, or I journal an honest expression to God.  I’m also able to take note of any current anxieties that I can revisit in my prayer time throughout the week.  I also write down things I’m learning from my daily devotions, or verses that stick out to me during various church gatherings.  It’s like I’m having a spiritual spa every evening–releasing all my toxins and getting the nourishment I need.

5) Constantly Listen, and Constantly Give. As I’ve been getting into the habit of reflecting and journaling, a surprising result is the surplus of ideas that pop into my head.  There were several times when a person comes to mind because of a recent conversation or even because of the particular thought or topic I was meditating on.  I take that as a cue to listen to God, write down a reminder in my smartphone to do something about it that week, and find the time to do something small but encouraging for that person.  I would lift up a prayer, send an encouraging e card, give a phone call, or even send flowers.  Other times I would think of more than one person–but sometimes a whole family, a need in the church or even an idea for worship.  I’ve felt there’s been greater fruit in my life as I take the time to listen and consistently respond with giving. This has helped me to view my daily life, and my daily times with God, as being very purposeful.

Those are my five helpful hints for now…I hope it is able to help others in their walk with God!