Do you ever feel like you want to connect with God, hear what He has to say, and find rest in His arms but it feels like He is distant, far away, or hard to connect with? Do you ever just want to jump in His lap but feel like you just can’t find Him?
Me too. I’ve definitely been there.
Haven’t we all, at one point or another?
But His heart is that we’d find Him. His heart is that we’d be connected like the best dad is connected with his child. That we’d hear His voice like a sheep easily hears his shepherd’s voice. That we’d feel Him near like a God who loves to be involved in and cares about every detail of our lives.
Here’s four great go-tos I use when I feel like I’m not seeing or hearing God and I just need a little jumpstart to find Him and feel Him close again.
- THANK YOUR WAY INTO HIS HEART
I’m not kidding. It sounds so simple. Start with thanks and you’ll surely find Him. You’ll thank your way right into His heart.
Write it out, speak it out, draw a picture… choose what’s most enjoyable to you, but there’s something about thanks that walks us right into the extravagant love and goodness of the Father. You can’t help but feel Him so close.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” (Psalm 100v4)
It’s the pathway right into His heart.
Try It: Pull out your journal or scrap piece of paper and just start writing things you’re thankful for. Big things, little things, obvious things, things in your current setting. The dining room table, the food in your fridge, your kiddo’s hearty laugh this morning, the afternoon quiet, that you have a job, a good friend… you know, just anything you can think of.
Let it draw you to thanks and experience of the Father who is more real, more present than we are most often aware of.
- WORSHIP – OR LISTEN TO WORSHIP MUSIC
Seems like a no-duh, but don’t skip over this one. Sometimes all you need to do to get out of a funk and find God is put on some good music, lay there, and allow your heart and mind to settle down and rest. Sometimes that’s all you need to reconnect with the Lord.
Sometimes it’s turning on some of your faves and singing along, even if you don’t feel it, because worship turns our eyes and affection to Him. Sometimes it’s just turning it on and sitting there in peace and rest, allowing the music to wash over you with His truth, with the reality of His presence with us.
Try It: Turn on some tunes, find your favorite cozy spot, and let the music play. Let worship/music focus your attention on Him and who He is. Allow it to shift your heart and do something in you. You will no doubt find Him.
- GET INTO THE WORD (but don’t let it be boring!)
Read the Bible out loud, read and imagine yourself in the story, read one verse then just sit with it and let it speak to you, choose a Psalm, read a passage until something seems “highlighted” or you feel your spirit “leap.” There are so many options! But don’t, whatever you do, let it get boring.
Sometimes there is discipline in reading Scripture, but it’s meant to be alive and life-giving! It’s meant to draw you deeper into God’s heart and into feeling His deep love. It’s meant to draw you into His love story. It’s meant to challenge and encourage. If it’s boring, it might be time to switch things up and try something new.
Try It: Try one of the ideas above (read out loud, read a Psalm, read one verse and mull over it, read until your spirit leaps, etc.) Or, one of Mark’s favorites is to find a miracle story in the gospels and imagine yourself in the scene. Imagine yourself in different roles in the story (a disciple, the girl getting healed, the boy who gives Jesus his lunch) and just see what happens. You might be surprised the insight or revelation you will get!
- ENJOY AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE
This may be an odd one for many of us. But to tell you the truth, this is one my favorite ways and the best ways I’ve climbed right into God’s heart. I only really discovered this one this past year, but oooh, it’s a good one!
Do something you enjoy and love, and do it with Jesus. Sometimes for me it’s been getting a favorite drink and sitting in the car in front of a good view (hello lake or sunset!). Sometimes it’s been “Man, I’d really love to create right now!” and I pull out paint or calligraphy pens. Sometimes it’s been reading a good book or just sitting in absolute quiet and stillness (hello busy toddler life!), or sometimes a walk.
Whatever you do, do what you love and look for God in what you do. IT WON’T BE HARD! You will absolutely find Him in what you love to do.
Because He loves to be with you. And hello!, He really loves your hearts desires! The way He wired you is no mistake, so do what you love and you will find Him.
Try It: First, set aside some time or decide when you want to connect with God. Then stop and think what it is you really love and love doing.
Think of what you would really actually love to do in the moment.
You might find it helpful to ask, “What would I really love to do right now?”
Then do it, enjoy it, bask in the beauty and delight, and find yourself tucked right into God’s arms.
I don’t know where you’re at or what you’re facing today, but I’m praying today these become tools to hear His whisper even when everything else feel loud, chaotic, or crazy. I pray today you would know how deeply He loves you, loves to spend time with you and pursues your heart because YOU are His kid and He LOVES to hang out with you.
So much love from our home to yours! <3
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