Hey there, God

Hey there, God,

This is the beginning of a long-overdue experiment. I have never been very good at doing this, you know, devotions. I used to do a better job at home with my family and through Bible Quiz at keeping in Your Word. But, since going to college, I have not habitually been good at daily spending concentrated time with You. Oh, I have gone to chapel, attended church, prayed and listened to good music. But that’s like reading about You, hearing about You, and talking about You without actually spending time with You. What a dumb idea! This needs to change….I’m going to need Your help more than anything on this. Help me please? I need the desire and ability for consistency. Show yourself to me; today and each day. May my spiritual life and everyday life be unified in You.

Love,

Laura

I wrote this on May 7, 2012 on the flight home from my first year in college. It is the first entry in my prayer journal, which since then I have been striving to make a habit in my life.

I’m not one of those people who insist you have to do devotions at a certain time of day or night. What’s important to me is that I get them done. Lately, I have been doing them by flashlight in my bunk before I go to sleep each night at FaHoLo!

 In addition to my prayer journal (which was a gift from my roomie, Ashley), I have a ladies’ devotional book that has a scripture and a little reflection for each day following a monthly theme such as joy, grace, humor or peace. This book was a gift from Ryan. His encouragement to keep up with daily devotions is so valuable. Right now I read that and then journal about what I read, my joys and concerns of the day, my musings, and any interceding for friends and family.

I am not kidding when I said that I am not usually good at this kind of thing. I am not! I am that kid that mom had ask me every night if my teeth were clean just to make sure. She still has to bug me to put my shoes in the right place, or to take my vitamins, or to make my bed or…..get the idea? Innate consistency is just not something I excel at.

 Yet, God has been answering my prayer to give me “the desire and ability for consistency.” He really has rewarded me each and every time I open up His Word and meditate on it. Sometimes it’s the theme of the month that I really need to focus on, or a sentence or phrase that stands out, or an idea approached in a brand new way.

For example, May 12^th I wrote: “Dear God, You are hilariously amazing! Each day this week you have rewarded me for my efforts to read and ponder Your Word and to spend time with You.” That was the day I was at Teen Bible Quiz regionals with my family. The passage I read that day talked about the power of God’s Word. The little story in my devotional book was about this lady’s mother, who memorized Scripture and shared it with her children. One day, this mother asked her daughter if she wanted to listen to what she had been memorizing. The daughter agreed and asked what she would be reciting. The mother answered, “First Peter.” Yes, all of it! What is amazing is that the material that TBQ is covering this year is Hebrews, First Peter and Second Peter. Rachel has all of them memorized and was quizzing on this material that day. It was just so fitting that I read that story that day. I was reminded of the gift of quizzing and the power of God’s Word. It was beyond coincidence. It was God.

That’s not the only time the “coincidence” has happened either. God spoke about moving powerfully even in cramped quarters while I was on an airplane in quarters that were definitely cramped. He has spoken about not comparing myself and my spiritual health to others or about rejoicing always when I could have easily been a complaining mess….I could go on and on!

So, even though I have only been at this for about a month and a half, I have met with God nearly every day since the day I began. Doing this has strengthened me and given me the spiritual energy that I have needed so desperately each day. Now I wonder why I waited so long. What was I scared of? How did I convince myself that I couldn’t do devotions like other people could? I think now about what I missed out on all those days I tried to do life on my own strength. What opportunities did I miss? How much energy did I waste being stubborn? What else will God show me now that I am intentionally being faithful in seeking Him?

I think the best part about this process is that I really can talk to God about anything. I know it is obvious, but you don’t quite understand how important that is to me. I am a verbal processor! Anyone who knows me can see why taking time to talk to God can be an incredibly safe and healing thing. God is big enough to handle my concern, frustration, anxiety, fear, and anger, as well as the perfect person to rejoice with and give praise to. This also protects those around me from having to listen to absolutely everything I ever think or need to process. It’s a win-win situation.

Scripture says that if we seek Him we will find Him if we seek with all our hearts. Matthew says to “ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” I encourage you that if you’re not actively seeking God daily through prayer and His Word, you’re missing out. Take it from someone who knows (now). You don’t have to try to do it the way that everyone else does it. If you don’t like to journal, don’t! Draw pictures, make music, dance, or sit quietly and meditate. I don’t really care how you meet with God, but I do care that you try. If you don’t, you are missing out on the presence and gifts of God in your life. Nothing is more important than Him--after all, he created everything else!