In the busyness of life, I sometimes look up and wonder, “Where did God go?” In reality, He didn’t go anywhere, I am just not paying attention. I remember author Priscilla Schirer writing about that concept in that it was the TV antenna not getting good reception- me. There was nothing wrong with the sending station- God!
How, then, do I go about getting reconnected with God when I feel I can get nothing more in my day, or even in my brain?
1 – Rekindle Your Desire
God says when we come looking for Him we will find Him.
“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. Jeremiah 29:13-14a The Message
What is it you are longing for in a relationship with God? How do you see Him? Father, Healer, Savior, Friend, Mentor, King, Helper, Protector… Begin to dream about what a relationship with God could look like, sound like, feel like. Imagine God sitting in the chair across from you, waiting to hear your heart. He delights in you and wants to know what on your heart and mind.
2-Set Up a Listening Time
In building a relationship with a friend, you spend time with that friend, you ask questions, you want to know more about what they are thinking, how they see the world, what they like, what they don’t like, what they like about you. God is no different. He wants to spend time with you, letting you know what is on His heart for your life, how He sees you, what He loves about you, how He has created you.
In order to find out those things, you need to set up a listening time. How do you listen best? Is it with music and audio devotions ? Is it writing and journaling? Is it reading Scriptures and devotionals? Experiment with a variety of ways that work for you in order to best tune in to God’s voice. He speaks to us in a variety of ways and methods.
One of my favorite ways is Lectio Divina which is a contemplative way to read Scripture.
First one goes to a quiet place and recalls that one is about to listen to the Word of God. Then one reads the scripture passage aloud to let oneself hear with his or her own ears the words. When one finishes reading, pause and recall if some word or phrase stood out or something touched one’s heart. If so, pause and savor the insight, feeling, or understanding. Then go back and read the passage again because it will have a fuller meaning. Pause again and note what happened. If one wants to dialogue with God or Jesus in response to the word, one should follow the prompting of one’s heart. This kind of reflective listening allows the Holy Spirit to deepen awareness of God’s taking the initiative to speak with us. –
3- Lay Everything At His Feet
Remember that when you look for Him, He sees you as His beautiful child. He’s given you Jesus to believe in, therefore you receive God’s love and forgiveness and grace. With grace – unmerited favor- you have everything you need to move forward in that love relationship with God. He longs to have you close to Him.
6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 The Message
You can move closer to God. It does take carving out some time and some intention on your part. Yet that longing in your heart is real and He’s calling you out of love. He has created you as a beautiful masterpiece and is waiting to hear your heart.
Sometimes it takes a partner to walk the journey with you. That partner can be a friend to talk to about what you are hearing God say to you or a spiritual director. A spiritual director is someone who facilitates a monologue with yourself and listens to the activity of God in your life. I would love to come alongside you and encourage your walk with God. I am setting up several new appointments now. Contact me for your free consultation to explore what a journey could look like. See how God is calling to you.