The world has never been so full of noise and busyness. We often feel like we’re living in overdrive and that there’s no way to find time to simply quiet our soul and draw near to God. But it doesn’t need to be this way – you CAN create space to meet God and be filled with His spirit and love. Here’s how.
Give Yourself Permission to Draw Near
First and foremost, give yourself permission to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and meet with God. Whether that’s 5 minutes in the morning or an hour for a deep meditation – set aside time for Him. You’ll come away feeling refreshed and renewed, ready to tackle the upcoming tasks or challenges that await you.
It might feel silly at first, giving yourself permission to meet with God, but remember that He’s your Best Friend and He’s always ready for you. If your best friend asked to meet with you, you wouldn’t hesitate – so why not give yourself the same courtesy.
Drawing near to God is a crucial part of your life so make it a priority and do it with a happy heart.
Make the Time to Listen
Cultivating a relationship with God involves listening to His voice and being willing to follow Him. Once you have put aside time to meet with God, take a few moments to be still and listen. Be diligent and don’t give up if you don’t hear Him right away.
God speaks through the wind, through a gentle whisper, and even though the small details of your day. If you keep your eyes peeled, you may see something or feel something that connects to the Lord. Sometimes it’s something as small as a butterfly, which can help remind you that You’re not alone – God is with you.
God’s voice can also be heard in reading His Word. Take some moments to be saturated in the scripture, allowing it to open your heart and soul. Be patient, prayerful, and listen to the Spirit – He will guide you in the right direction.
Acknowledge His Presence
Whether you’re out running errands or working through a project – take every opportunity to acknowledge His presence in your life. Slow down and appreciate the beauty of creation – recognize that you are never alone and that He is always with you. Speak a prayer of affirmation and thankfulness for all the blessings that He has brought into your life.
Consciously recognizing God’s presence will help you to feel closer to Him and draw near to His heart. He will fill your heart with peace and joy and surround you with His unending love. By being mindful of His presence, you’ll stay connected with Him and find contentment in every moment.
Live In His Guidance
It’s easy to feel connected with God when times are good and everything is going right. But what about when the hard times come and things don’t go according to plan? Do you still rely on God and put your trust into His guidance? Or do you take matters into your own hands?
God knows what’s best for us and He will provide us with the strength and guidance we need for any situation. Turn to Him for all your needs and live each moment in His perfect will. Put your faith in Him – submit to God and trust that He will give you the best gifts for your life. Even if the answer isn’t what you expected, accept it with grace and follow God’s plan.
Show Gratitude
The Bible reminds us to give thanks in every situation – no matter what comes our way. Gratitude brings us closer to God and helps us focus on what we do have instead of what we don’t have.Remind yourself of God’s goodness and love by practicing gratitude and thankfulness each day. Listen for what God has to say and soak up His presence.
Make sure to acknowledge all His blessings – both the big and small ones – and share your appreciation with Him. Speak words of gratitude and thank Him for all He has done in your life. This will not only increase your relationship with God, but it will also bring immeasurable joy into your life.
Conclusion
The abundance and fullness of God’s love can be experienced when we draw near to Him. Slow down and make the time to establish the habit of spending time with Him – He loves spending His time with you. Listen for His gentle whisper, acknowledge His presence and live a life of thankfulness, offering words of gratitude to the Lord. You’ll come away feeling renewed, refocused and with a deeper understanding of all that God is.