There is always life.
There are always things that need to be done, things that should be done, things left undone.
When we rely on our ideals we easily find ourselves months down the track further from where we’d like to have been – in our goals and in our relationships. Making room for Jesus is founded in being intentional.
Over the years my making room has looked different depending on what life has looked like. When I was single I had a lot more time so making room felt natural and easy. When I first got married I needed to find a new rhythm and my own space – because I know how I work, and I know I like routine and personal time with the Word, my journal and His thoughts. When I had kids, well that’s a whole new ball game – I learnt to be flexible, some nap times afforded lengthy pockets of time and other days I’d barely look at the verse for the day!
Making room isn’t just a “quiet time”. Making room is simply starting the conversation with your Saviour and Friend. Making room is the ongoing connection found in reading His word, fasting, journaling, song writing, worship, chatting, nature, listening, podcasts, fellowship [insert your way to connect here]…
I’m a firm believer Sunday’s come from your overflow – an overflow of your relationship with the Lord and what you’ve sown into during the week. When we are intentional with our connection with God, He gives blessing. See in Psalm 1 the one who spends time in the right company and the Word is blessed AND has remarkable fruit in every season…
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.Psalm 1:1-3
So how can we find ways to create intentional space to make room for time with Jesus off the platform:
- Set a date in your diary – my work days used to have an organic element to them where I could arrive early and ease into my day with worship on while I had a hot cup of tea and read the Word… but as a stay at home mum I’ve had to be intentional about my times with God. And now add running a business to the mix, I’ve made Jesus my first client of each workday. Literally. He has a reserved spot in my diary. And it’s amazing how much I look to my calendar and think to myself how grateful I am I scheduled time in. It’s non-negotiable and I intentionally make it my first priority.
- Find apps that work for you – YouVersion have a number of plans with reminders available as do First 5 App. The alarm pops on in our house and the kids and I made a song to go with it. They know when it goes off I get to read my Bible.
- Get away from your to do’s or the housework – I meet with Jesus in a variety of different spaces, sometimes its just physically being out of the house on our verandah in the morning sun or its a cafe, a bushwalk, a drive. Either way I know when I am around the to-do I will begin to get distracted and do. Rather than be.
- Get up earlier – I used to be a morning person, so this worked for me but enter in kids and I grab all the zzz’s I can get! Setting an alarm even just 15 minutes before I would normally get up has helped me to just pause before the world needs me. I can have a few moments of solace and focus and its bliss.
- Sacrifice TV at night – you might be more of a night person and love vegging on the couch to wind down from your day. I read an awesome book by Shauna Niquest “Present over Perfect” and she talked about bookending the day with transitions. There is a sacred nature found in the way we rise up and wind down in our days. I’ve adapted my routine on her wisdom and advice and found this tiny pocket of calm has helped me really connect with God more often throughout my day.
In every stage and season of your life, your space with Jesus will look different. So sweet one, find what works for you (and your tribe) and be actively intentional about how you spend time with Him. Intentions don’t change the world, so don’t stay stuck in your ideals; try a few things out, find your rhythm and begin the conversation. God is so wanting to meet with you and bless you big time so make room for His presence in your day to day…
until next time… xox