My online Bible Study asked this question: What is one way you plug in to God? We know you are doing this Online Bible Study, but is there a daily devotion series or other devotional material you enjoy?
I immediately panicked! I don't use any particular devotional material or series. I thought to myself, is this something I'm 'supposed to' be doing? I knew it, I knew it all along- I'm doing it all wrong!
Of course I'm exaggerating, but I do think that this is something that a lot of Christians wonder about? Am I doing the right things...am I doing what everyone else is doing? Am I doing enough?
Instead of asking yourself these questions, ask yourself "Is what I'm doing leaving me feeling fulfilled and in touch with God?"
Basically there is no right answer when it comes to daily devotions. There is no one way of doing it. We all have different personality types and we all connect with God in different ways. What works for one might not work for another. Frankly, I joined the online Bible Study because I knew it would help get me in God's word, since I have a hard time getting myself to do Bible Study on my own. Whatever works, and whatever gets me in the Word more. So instead of condemning myself for not being able to make myself sit down and read the Word more, I decided to work with my interests and read the Word online more. Hey, it works.
So to answer the initial question...my personal 'routine' is mostly one of prayer. I do read from my 'Jesus Calling' devotional by Sarah Young every morning, and then I pray. I pray and the I listen....pray and listen....basically I have a conversation with God every morning before I start my day. Then I try to open my Bible and read something. I trust the the Lord will lead me to what I need to hear. But I have to admit I don't always open my Bible. Something I'm still 'working on.'
But most of all, I talk to God. I talk to God all day, every day. I live alone, so there's no one else here and He's always here. And He's a good listener.
Oh, and I sing to Him. I love worship music, so I listen to it sometime during the day and always in my car. And I'm a 'hummer,' so I'm always humming something to Him throughout the day.
I think, as Christians, we need to be careful not to spend too much time worrying about whether we're doing what we 'should be' doing rather than just listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and letting Him guide us throughout our days.
Can I get an AMEN?!
AAAAAAAAMMENNNNNN!!!!! I so agree, Melissa! I really believe He draws us to HImself in so many ways and HE knows how we best commune with Him. As long as everything lines up with the WORD and we sense His presence, I don't think there is a one size fits all way. It's just too easy to slip into a works mentality of conquering that can sort of push the actual "abiding in Him" aside. Different people have different "favorite" ways. I just love Jesus and am hungry for all of Him. He can deal with that just fine!!! :-
ReplyDeleteAMEN!! Wow! Thank you for these words... What you said at the beginning goes through my mind a lot... I am not doing this 'right'... others are doing it 'better'. This must be why I feel like God is distant (all my fault for doing it 'wrong'. But you are right... there is no one 'right' way. And my way, isn't your way. We must spend that time with Our Maker to figure out what our way is. And the most important part is simply spending that time with Him!
ReplyDeleteKandace (OBS Prayer Team)
Amen. Each of us was created differently. Whatever works for YOU as long as you're with God.
ReplyDeleteYou can get an AMEN! God is as unique as the number of hairs on each of our heads. 20 people could read the same scripture and 20 people, providing they are listening, could walk away with something different from the next. God personalizes that for each of us. This blog hop is a perfect example of that. We have 4 topics each week and look at all the insight we ladies have from these same 4 topics! I get blessed reading as many as I can, seeing what God is speaking to each and every individual person.
ReplyDeleteOur goal is to know Him and share Him with others. Sharing Him is as individual as the person He brings into our lives. No pat formula, just being open to His voice.
Blessings to you
Mindy
The Howell Blessings
AMEN!
ReplyDeleteI also do not think there is a "right" way to make personal time with God. As long as we are reading from his word, entering into a thoughtful prayer life, and trying to seek a closeness to God and his purpose, then it is the right way to have devotionals.
One of my personal goals is to begin a nightly family Bible time in which we can sit down together, discuss the blessings of the day, and pray for the needs of those we love. I find myself wondering things like, How long should it be? Is there a text out there that would be good to use for my two teens? and What do other families do? Then I realize that it doesn't matter. As long as we are including God as the fifth person in our family devotions, we will be just fine.
Amen & Amen!
ReplyDeleteI also like you for being "real" and honest. Great post. I love connecting through music too. God is so good to meet us in ways that work for us as the unique individuals he made us to be.