As followers of Christ, Jesus really only asks one thing of us. He wants us to come to Him. He wants our hearts, He wants our sin, He wants our struggles, He wants our minds, He wants us. He wants us to desire Him. God wants to have a relationship with us, a deep and personal relationship. He doesn’t want a relationship that we pull out on the occasional Sunday or one that we put time into when it is convenient for us. God wants us to know Him.
Our relationship with God is far more important than any other. But, just like normal relationships, it needs work and care. God wants our time.
God likes spending time with us at church, bible study, and devotional groups. But, He is a jealous God who yearns for time with just us. He wants individual time with His children. This independent time with God is one of the hardest, yet most important means of growing in our relationship with God. But it isn’t always easy to do and it can be difficult to make room for it. But there are some strategies that can be used to make the most out of our Jesus time.
1. Turn off distractions.
While this may seem like an obvious strategy, it is important to make sure your quiet time won't be interrupted by other obligations and demands. Go somewhere alone, turn off your phone, and leave your responsibilities behind.
2. Bring a friend.
While it is important to still have your own individual time with God, bringing a friend with the same intention of doing so helps to keep you accountable. Get together and spend time with God alone and then talk about what you learned during your quiet time.
3. Read scripture.
One way to spend your quiet time is by reading the bible. Sometimes the hardest part is figuring out what to read or how to read it. Look up different studies online, read for your bible study, or just open the word and see what happens. Trust that God will guide your study.
4. Listen to a sermon.
Look up new pastors or find specific topics on YouTube. Take some notes and find new pastors that challenge you.
5. Read a supplemental book.
These are the books you find in the Christian section at Barnes and Noble. They are useful in guiding your understanding of Jesus and who He is. Just make sure to always support these books with your bible.
6. Listen.
Spend time just listening for God. Turn on some music and listen for Him. It is important that we pray and read and study, but sometimes it's nice to just sit and listen to what God is saying to us.
7. Pray.
Whether it's speaking them or writing them, your prayers are a powerful way of connecting with God. Talk to Him, praise Him, and ask Him. He wants to hear from you.
8. Date Him.
Jesus dates are when you take your quiet time to an extreme level. Go spend time with God somewhere you love and do something you love. Whether that's going to a coffee shop and spending time with Him or going for a hike to enjoy His creation, find a way to date Jesus.
God yearns for our hearts, don't hesitate to give them to Him.
