I woke up this morning feeling a bit down in the dumps. I was stressed thinking about all the studying I have to do for finals, the countless papers I have yet to write, and the design projects that have yet to see the poster board. I sat down to start my mountains of work, and instead of continuing with my day as usual, I decided to read my devotional. To me a devotional is any way someone can set aside time to be with God or give him thanks. My devotional is called, The Resolution for Women. It was given to me by my sweet mother, and I started using it a few months ago. It is gripping sets of touching daily resolutions written by Priscilla Shirer. I’m not talking about New Year’s Eve resolutions that get posted all over social media, celebrated for as little as two weeks, and dropped, because we realize pizza was the worst thing someone could give up. Priscilla writes about resolutions we can make in our lives through our family, friends, and our relationship with God. They continue to challenge me, but are relatable to my life and the daily struggles that women go through.
I have to admit, since starting college, I have not set aside enough of my time to spend in the Word and my devotional. I often get distracted with countless hours of Netflix and Hulu before bed, because who doesn’t want to know about the next horrifyingly, thrilling day in the life of Olivia Pope? Despite this, I know I’m always able to give my worries and frustrations to God; taking the weight of life off of my shoulders. Most of you may be like me, who personally feel that letting ourselves have some quality time by doing the things that make us happy is our own form of unique stress-relieving therapy. That being said, we as believers in Lord should also try to give a piece of our day to Him.
Everyone is different in how they experience their devotion, and each form is 100 percent acceptable and honored by God. It can be anything like listening to worship music while studying, opening to a random page in a Bible, or giving the glory to God when you get an ‘A’. But please do not let stories about believers who spend hours upon hours in the Word, discourage you from doing what you know is right in the eyes of God. It does not matter where you are in your relationship with Christ, He looks at what is in your heart. We can get distracted by the ways of what other people are doing in their relationship with God. I think it is good to put up mental horse blinders up when we catch ourselves envying other peoples relationships with God, because all He cares about is us continuing to pursue a relationship with Him and us fulfilling who HE created US to be.
Right now, I encourage you to find a way to give a piece of your day or week to devotion with God. Whether it be sitting at home, or with a group of friends. I can whole-heartedly promise you that it will be worth the time you give to Him.
Here are some related verses for you to start this wonderful process:
"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4
“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.” Psalms 27:8
“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Colossians 3:16-15
