9 Creative Ways to Connect with God
1. Pray with
somebody.
Read Mark
14:38—even Jesus realized prayer took some effort. And while we need private
prayer times, we also need the prayerful support of others. So, ask a friend to
meet with you once a week during lunch or after school. Share issues in your
life and pray for one another. It might feel a little awkward at first, but it
will get better with time—and you'll get closer to God and to each other.
2. Take a
day off.
Even though
Jesus didn't want "honoring the Sabbath" (Exodus 20:8) to become a
mindless ritual (Mark 2:27), he believed getting away and focusing on God is
really important (Luke 5:16). So, what should honoring the Sabbath look like?
Well, it should be one day every week—usually on Sunday—when you take time out
of your regular schedule to rest and connect with God with your Christian
community. No homework, no work, nada. When you get away from schoolwork and
other things that distract you, there's a lot of space to rest and think and
pray about what really matters. For more insights into honoring the Sabbath,
see our article "Give It a Rest".
3. Unplug.
Every once
in a while, unplug all your tech toys. Video games, TVs, cell phones,
internet—everything. (The world won't end, I promise.) Use this unplugged time
to talk with a friend, face-to-face. Go on a walk or play guitar. Read a good
novel. Hey, read the Bible. Or just sit quietly, allowing God to speak to your
heart without all the normal distractions.
4. Eat
temple food.
Sound weird?
Well, the Bible says your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. What does this
mean practically? Let's say you're standing in front of the vending machines at
school. Pretzels or cheesy puffs? Soda or water? Now, this isn't to say we
can't enjoy a sweet soft drink or a nice chunk of chocolate cake once in a
while. But the important thing is to not always fill God's temple with junk—or
junk food. And when you do eat, whether it's a Snickers or a carrot stick,
thank God for tasty snacks and good food that nourishes your body—his holy
temple.
5. Go green.
Taking care
of the earth is "in" right now. But God was into the planet long
before hybrid cars and recycling. God created the heavens and the earth, and he
said his creation was good. When he made humans, he told them to care for his
creation (Genesis 2:15). We still have that responsibility. When there's enough
natural light, leave the lights off. Recycle. Carpool. Ride a bike instead of
driving. Thank God for the earth he created and treat it as the beautiful
masterpiece it is.
6. Memorize
Bible verses.
Why? Because
God's Word "exposes our innermost thoughts and desires" (Hebrews
4:12). And Psalm 119:9 says we can keep ourselves pure by obeying God's Word.
When we memorize Scripture, we have it ready when we need it. It's in our
heads, helping us make good decisions and helping us reflect on God's promises.
Pick a favorite verse and write it on your mirror with a dry-erase marker.
Whenever you look in the mirror, repeat the verse in your head. When you've
memorized it, put up a new verse. Where to start: Why not Hebrews 4:12 and
Psalm 119:9?
7. Stop
blabbing.
Read James
3:2-12 and Proverbs 16:24, and remember that speaking too much usually gets us
in trouble—with parents, friends, teachers, coaches, bosses. So practice the
discipline of "taming the tongue" and focus on speaking words of
encouragement. Cut out swearing, putdowns and gossip. If you're struggling to
say something encouraging, don't speak until you can.
8. Be kind …
in secret.
When we
watch TV and read celebrity magazines, we get one message over and over: Fame
is just about better than anything. But read Matthew 6:1-6 and you'll discover
God thinks differently. When we do nice things for others without them knowing,
we keep ourselves from becoming arrogant or from needing the approval of
others. So, why not write an anonymous note of encouragement to someone and put
it in his or her locker? Or maybe leave a small gift for a teacher or friend?
You can also pray for someone without them knowing it. Whatever you do, do it
for God. He's watching and he's pleased with your selfless and secret acts of
kindness.
9. Live it
up!
Life in
Christ is the best thing around, so celebrate it! And there are many ways to
celebrate—dance in the sunshine, sing a song to him, take photos of his
beautiful creation, write a poem, paint a picture, share a delicious meal with
friends, play basketball, laugh! Whatever you do, do it as a way to praise God
and thank God for the great gift of life.
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