Every morning, I get up, get ready, have breakfast and head off to work. During the drive, I try to devote a few words to God, which takes about 10 minutes. Once I’m well into my day, I’m submerge in my work at the office. In the evening, I go home and spend time with my family. I relax by watching TV or checking my phone later in the evening. I try to remember that I need to talk to God before I go to sleep. A 24-hour day has passed. In that 24-hour period, I may have spent 5 to 10 minutes with the Lord. If we consider this time over 1 week of 168 hours, excluding the 90 minutes at church, I didn’t even manage to devote 1 hour to my God during that week.
Nevertheless, I continue to look forward to His blessings. The truth is that Jesus is a relational God. He wants to establish a relationship with us. However, the relationship God desires to have with us is not like the one we have with our loved ones or other people.
It’s possible for me to have a relationship with a close friend only through 4-5 visits a year, and still have an excellent relationship with my friend.
God wants more time with me. Nothing can match the presence of His Spirit in my life. I need discipline myself to get in touch with Him. I must be devoted to spending time with the Lord. Every time His Spirit manifests Himself in me, He blesses me. It is my responsibility to turn to Him. By surrendering to the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, my relationship with Jesus Christ becomes more meaningful, and I grow in my relationship with God.
So what are the obstacles that prevent me from drawing closer to God?
Distractions that come from entertainment. The devil’s illusions. The shiny things Satan throws at me. The superficial. Not to mention my emotions and feelings that make me want to do anything but get closer to Jesus.
I need to get away from the entanglements that keep me away from God.
Simply bring my attention, my devotion through my prayers to Jesus Christ.
Take an extra 5 minutes every day. The following week, another 10 minutes, and so on.
Gradually, I can go from 1 hour a week to 7 to 10 hours. I can exercise my practice by creating moments of intense prayer, or/and smaller moments, but with more repetition, throughout my day.
God’s Peace, joy, healing, happiness is accessible through a well-nourished relationship between the Lord and me.
Almighty Lord, help me focus my time on your presence. May we grow closer together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.