Are you looking to strengthen your relationship with Jesus but not sure where to start? Here are five ways to find Jesus relationally this month that might help:
Take some time to pray and meditate.
This can be as simple as finding a quiet spot and closing your eyes for a few minutes, or you can use a devotional guide or incorporate your favorite prayers and scriptures. Either way, this is a great way to connect with Jesus and listen for his guidance.
My go-to is to meditate on Romans 12:2: “Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.” Focusing on that passage has made me a thorn in more than one side.
Help out someone in need.
Jesus was all about loving and serving others, and we can follow his example by looking for ways to serve those in our community. This could be volunteering at a kitchen that feeds hungry folks, lending a hand to a neighbor, or just being there for someone who needs a listening ear.
Find a faith community and worship with them.
Worship is a powerful way to connect with Jesus and others, so if you’re not already part of a church or faith community, consider seeking one out. And if you are, make an effort to attend worship services regularly. If it’s an on-site service, be sure to interact with at least one person. If it’s an online service, be active in the comments. One of the great benefits of online worship is the ability to talk through the WHOLE service and be a real part of the whole thing…even more than just sitting on a bench reciting words that you may not mean.
Dive into the Bible.
The Bible is full of wisdom and guidance for our faith journey, so set aside some time each day to read and study it. You might want to join a Bible study group or find a mentor or spiritual director to help you dig deeper. Again, this can be onsite or online. Doesn’t matter. Just get deeper into the stories and themes found in the Bible. They may not all be written for us today, but they can all teach us something worth learning today.
Experiment with spiritual disciplines.
There are tons of different spiritual disciplines out there, from fasting to journaling to silence and solitude. Try out a few and see what works for you. They can be great tools for helping us grow closer to Jesus.
My favorite one is called a breath prayer. It is simple do do. Breath in slowly thinking or saying one short phrase, then breath out with another. My go-to: Breathe in “God of peace.” Breath out “Grant me peace.”
Remember, meeting Jesus relationally is a journey, so don’t worry if you don’t get it right away. Just keep seeking him and trusting in his guidance and grace, and you’ll be on your way.
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