Having a foundation with God at the center of your life is important. Personally, keeping Him first helps me keep a good grip and balance on my own life, especially when things seem off and challenging. Deepening your relationship with God is beneficial and can help you find peace, gain wisdom, clarity, and more when you get still and get to know Him better. Three ways to deepen your relationship with God?
Get Still. Psalm 46:16 reads, “Be still and know that I am God.” This is probably the most important because it sets the tone for prayer and studying His word. I work full time. I also write and blog on a regular basis, workout, go to church, mentor, and do my best to juggle spending time with my family and friends in between everything else I've got going on. I prioritize getting still because it’s hard to hear God in the midst of all those things happening all the time. Someone’s always calling me, texting me, wanting to chill, and when I’m not writing, I’m usually thinking about writing. I'm never killing the game at all times in all those areas. If I'm great at one, I'm slipping up or falling back in another. That's why balance is important. I can’t possibly function in any of those areas well without balance and especially not without getting still to spend time with God. When things get out of balance, it’s a sign to slow down and get still.
Pray. I pray all the time. When I wake up. When I go to bed. When I’m sitting in traffic. When things are good. And especially when things are bad. Prayer is a 24/7 open line to talk with God. Who wouldn’t take advantage of that? I need to pray because even when things are fine, I like to check in with God on a consistent basis. Not just when things are falling apart.
Study. 2 Timothy 2:15 reads, “Study to show thyself approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” I aim to get into the word every week, and not just on Sundays. With modern technology, there are so many ways to study the bible and learn more about the word. If you have a smartphone, you can download a bible app. If you’re more old school, you can keep a travel bible in your car, in your desk at work, or your nightstand. If you don’t know your bible, how can you expect to understand what’s happening with you and what God wants you to know and understand? Just like it takes time to get to know someone you’re dating, it takes time to know God. Although His thinking is always higher, the least you could do is know your bible. It’s a game-changing playbook with an answer to just about everything you need guidance, encouragement, or help with. Use it.
Make time for God. He makes time for you.