New Ways to Spend Time With God

When I speak at women’s conferences and ask if spending time in God’s Presence feels a little scary, I usually get a “Yes” response. Why do you think we sometimes feel that way?

Could it be:

• We know He is the God of the universe and knows everything about us, even the parts we’d rather ignore?
• We are so aware that we are imperfect compared to His perfection?
• We think He isn’t really interested in spending time with us like so many others we’ve encountered in life?
• We realize we haven’t spent much time with Him lately?
• We’ve missed reading our Bible regularly so feel guilty?

Why Is It Important to Spend Time With God?

Recently a friend mentioned going through a course based on the timeless little book, “The Practice of the Presence of God.” I remembered how important is was and continues to be in my life in forming and shaping my relationship with God. If you’ve never read this little book, be ready to see your life transformed. If you’ve read it, maybe it’s time to read it again!

We all have so many reasons to neglect spending time with God in our busy, demand-filled days. But there is no other way to know God, receive the peace only He can give, and order our life according to His unique plans and purpose for us.

You were born with a mission from God but only you can choose to accept it! And how can you fulfill this mission if you don’t first spend time getting to know Him and hear His voice for His directions daily?

How to Spend Time With God

So how can you spend more time with God this Spring?

• Choose a time and place where you can be alone and quiet. I have a specific chair I sit in every morning that faces windows displaying the landscape of God’s gorgeous creation. Strangely though, when I travel, I seem to find quiet in a busy coffee shop where I can tune out the hum of voices and activity to sit quietly in the Lord’s Presence.

• Recognize that God wants to speak to you and He does so through reading the Bible. God is always communicating with you throughout your day whether you hear Him or not…through circumstances, conversations, “chance” encounters, and daily activities, but He speaks most clearly through His Words in the Bible. It is always best to find a regular time daily to read His Word and discuss it with Him in prayer.

• Pray to hear His voice. When you read your Bible, talk with God about it. Ask Him what He means in a passage you may not understand. You may receive a sudden understanding or the answer may be revealed to you over time. But remember, the Spirit of Jesus Christ lives within you if you believe, and the Spirit was actually present in time and history when the events of the Bible took place. He was with those who heard from God, wrote it, and composed its content. He was there! He knows the answers.

• Prayer is an all-day mental conversation with God you can maintain throughout your day. Brother Lawrence describes this in his little book. God desires to talk with us all day long.

• Allow God’s love for you to remove your fears. God loves you and doesn’t want you to be afraid. He is not a God of condemnation ready to pronounce you guilty at every moment. “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1). When you ask for forgiveness, His response is immediate as He promises to forgive. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). He is a God who desires relationship with you and wants to spend time with you regardless of the behavior of others you have known in your life.  After all, He came to this earth to walk among us so that we may know Him. He wants to be known.

• Consider New Experiences. In his book, “Practicing the Way,” John Mark Comer lists seven ways to grow closer to God. These are discovering new ways to rest on the Sabbath, experience solitude, enjoy prayer, explore fasting, read Scripture in fresh ways, find fellowship in community, and extend generosity.

So, this Spring, decide to take time to know God. Spend time with Him. It will be the best decision you’ll ever make!