There are personal disciplines that some folks cultivate for a lifetime and others practice at various times. All have value and none are magic in the sense that it makes us perfect (which we can't be) or better than others. To the extent that we humbly practice them to draw closer to God, they bring blessings. Here are a few:
Fasting - There is a difference between fasting and abstinence. Abstinence is not eating solid food and is not appropriate extended times for folks whose health is compromised. But fasting is abstaining from such things as meat/dairy (vegan), meat (vegetarian), sweets, alcohol, coffee or other things that will invoke a physical reason to consider our faith each time we long for the thing we have "given up." It can be a change in life-style or embraced for a season (such as lent) or on a given day each week. It has physical benefits (especially when eschewing something that is not good for us anyway such as excess sweets or cigarettes) but it can also take advantage of our physical cravings as a nudge to remember Christ's amazing willingness to enter a limited and dangerous world so that our salvation might be accomplished. (PS - if you use fasting as an excuse to be cranky, you are pretty much missing the point.)
A Place of Quiet - We live in a world where most of us can't see the most stars because the ambient light at night obscures that twinkling delight. We are surprised and delighted when we can actually hear the birds chirping. Our schedules are overwhelming and we expect to meet our selves coming and going. So finding a place where we can turn off electronics, see or envision a place where quiet and personal space can be enjoyed, can certainly lead to a sense of gratitude and thoughtfulness, a place of uninterrupted prayer or study or simply intentional breathing.
Meditation - We can take the quiet place idea and be more intentional about opening our mind and body to rest fully in God's grace and mercy, experiencing an intentional trusting, letting go our natural need to control. There are Christ-centric meditation instructors that share their perspective on YouTube, in classes and books, but whether you seek a guide or a class or reading, ask God to lead and bless. God is trustworthy at all times and in all places and seeking to draw closer is always a blessed activity.
Journals - For those of us who enjoy writing, journaling can help us in several ways:
(1) An accountability tool - When I record something to pray about or an idea that was interesting during daily devotions each day it becomes difficult to convince myself that I am dong "daily devotions" if the records shows few days or even skipped months. God does not "punish us" if we don't meet some arbitrary goal in growing spiritually, but it is never good if we are telling ourselves lies about what is going on. It is all too easy to do so!
(2) I can use the journal as a record of new ideas and if they prove helpful. For instance, did I try working at the food pantry remodel and find I was longing for more direct contact with the program's clients? Did I promise to pray for someone? Did our current book or Bible study suggest another area of study after I complete the current plan? Do I have a stack of books that have been interesting that got laid aside with the intent to finish them later? Is there an act of kindness tickling the back of my head that I keep forgetting to put into action?
(3) It can be helpful to note times of frustration because we can sometimes look back and see a pattern of activities or choices that consistently lead to dissatisfaction or we can identify practices that lift us during those times.
One thing I would mention: I find it tempting to use the journal to list what I have prayed for and when God has done what I said. Not only does this lend itself to developing a "vending machine" idea of prayer, but it can also lead to a sense of unhappiness when we feel "our prayers have not been answered." As time goes on I find that I am grateful when God answers "no" and "not now" as I become ever more aware that God just has better ideas of what is needed than I can ever come up with. This leads to prayers where I am honest about my fears and longings, but am humble about suggesting how all that should play out. Because this can take months or years to develop, I am better about taking the longer view.
Some folks have found Christian music leaves them in a generally more hopeful mood than some other sorts. Some folks found they prefer to avoid negative moves or television shows. Some folks commit a vacation to exploring faith building retreats or going on mission trips both in the USA and abroad. There are as many ways to approach growing our faith, deepening our relationships, and exploring new service opportunities as there as people, because our gifts, interests and abilities blend in infinite ways.
The slowest start, or restart, can lead to some pretty amazing experiences. Step out in faith today!
Fasting - There is a difference between fasting and abstinence. Abstinence is not eating solid food and is not appropriate extended times for folks whose health is compromised. But fasting is abstaining from such things as meat/dairy (vegan), meat (vegetarian), sweets, alcohol, coffee or other things that will invoke a physical reason to consider our faith each time we long for the thing we have "given up." It can be a change in life-style or embraced for a season (such as lent) or on a given day each week. It has physical benefits (especially when eschewing something that is not good for us anyway such as excess sweets or cigarettes) but it can also take advantage of our physical cravings as a nudge to remember Christ's amazing willingness to enter a limited and dangerous world so that our salvation might be accomplished. (PS - if you use fasting as an excuse to be cranky, you are pretty much missing the point.)
A Place of Quiet - We live in a world where most of us can't see the most stars because the ambient light at night obscures that twinkling delight. We are surprised and delighted when we can actually hear the birds chirping. Our schedules are overwhelming and we expect to meet our selves coming and going. So finding a place where we can turn off electronics, see or envision a place where quiet and personal space can be enjoyed, can certainly lead to a sense of gratitude and thoughtfulness, a place of uninterrupted prayer or study or simply intentional breathing.
Meditation - We can take the quiet place idea and be more intentional about opening our mind and body to rest fully in God's grace and mercy, experiencing an intentional trusting, letting go our natural need to control. There are Christ-centric meditation instructors that share their perspective on YouTube, in classes and books, but whether you seek a guide or a class or reading, ask God to lead and bless. God is trustworthy at all times and in all places and seeking to draw closer is always a blessed activity.
Journals - For those of us who enjoy writing, journaling can help us in several ways:
(1) An accountability tool - When I record something to pray about or an idea that was interesting during daily devotions each day it becomes difficult to convince myself that I am dong "daily devotions" if the records shows few days or even skipped months. God does not "punish us" if we don't meet some arbitrary goal in growing spiritually, but it is never good if we are telling ourselves lies about what is going on. It is all too easy to do so!
(2) I can use the journal as a record of new ideas and if they prove helpful. For instance, did I try working at the food pantry remodel and find I was longing for more direct contact with the program's clients? Did I promise to pray for someone? Did our current book or Bible study suggest another area of study after I complete the current plan? Do I have a stack of books that have been interesting that got laid aside with the intent to finish them later? Is there an act of kindness tickling the back of my head that I keep forgetting to put into action?
(3) It can be helpful to note times of frustration because we can sometimes look back and see a pattern of activities or choices that consistently lead to dissatisfaction or we can identify practices that lift us during those times.
One thing I would mention: I find it tempting to use the journal to list what I have prayed for and when God has done what I said. Not only does this lend itself to developing a "vending machine" idea of prayer, but it can also lead to a sense of unhappiness when we feel "our prayers have not been answered." As time goes on I find that I am grateful when God answers "no" and "not now" as I become ever more aware that God just has better ideas of what is needed than I can ever come up with. This leads to prayers where I am honest about my fears and longings, but am humble about suggesting how all that should play out. Because this can take months or years to develop, I am better about taking the longer view.
Some folks have found Christian music leaves them in a generally more hopeful mood than some other sorts. Some folks found they prefer to avoid negative moves or television shows. Some folks commit a vacation to exploring faith building retreats or going on mission trips both in the USA and abroad. There are as many ways to approach growing our faith, deepening our relationships, and exploring new service opportunities as there as people, because our gifts, interests and abilities blend in infinite ways.
The slowest start, or restart, can lead to some pretty amazing experiences. Step out in faith today!
RSS Feed
