Six Spiritual Practices That Help Me Stay Present with Christ

Six Spiritual Practices That Help Me Stay Present with Christ

Vera Christian
Journal

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”—Galatians 5:16 (ESV)

[This blog series is a reflection on some of the themes I have written on this blog.]
I’m pretty sure you share a similar struggle with me—the modern problem of endless tasks, responsibilities, and distractions. Our phones don’t help, constantly pinging with notifications or texts or tempting us with social media.

I’m not judging—I am guilty as charged myself. This busyness in my physical world often leads to drifting in my spiritual life. Without intentional practices in place, I easily slide into self-reliance without even realizing it. Sound familiar?

Because I need them, I’ve incorporated spiritual disciplines into my life as anchors to keep me present with Christ. These practices help me to pause to “connect the dots” and recognize God’s work instead of just blowing right past it.

Though there are many, there are six spiritual disciplines that I write about often in this blog—ones that keep me abiding in Christ and staying present with Him amidst my busy day. I’m still in the process of growing in them, but one day, I want to say they are as essential to me as breathing. The goal isn’t mastery or checking them off a to-do list, but staying present with God—and most importantly, learning to depend on Him, not myself, as I navigate through this busy world.

I hope that as we review these, you will use this as an opportunity to check your own spiritual rhythms. May this list of posts encourage you to develop your own spiritual rhythms that help you connect the dots in your own life.

1. Bible Reading/Study (Ps. 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Reading, studying, meditating on, and memorizing God’s Word is like breathing in oxygen. It is God’s primary means of orienting and transforming us so that we live in ways that reflect His heart rather than our own self-effort.

If you are new to Bible study, or if you want to see it impact how you live, here are posts on this blog to help.

Reflect: How does God’s Word speak into a current struggle, decision, or temptation in my life, and how might this truth shape how I think or act today?

2. Meditation (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2-3)

One of the disciplines that helps me move the truth of God from mind to heart is meditation. Taking the time to slow down and internalize His truth is one way to train my mind and heart to dwell on Christ. It’s not easy, especially in these days of hurry and distraction, but it is one way God awakens me from spiritual stupor and helps me see Him more clearly in my busy life.

Reflect: Is there a truth or attribute of God that you can intentionally dwell on as a way to focus on Christ in the midst of distraction?

3. Scripture Memory (Ps. 119:11; Col. 3:16)

As you may notice, many of these disciplines focus on the Word of God. This is because I firmly believe His Word is the source of life and godliness. Though memorizing Scripture can be challenging, I find it goes well with meditation. My walks in the morning have been the perfect time for this discipline, giving me time to both meditate and memorize as I do so. As it is worked into my heart, I find it shaping how I think about my life and the words I speak.

Reflect: Is there a verse or passage I’m studying or meditating on that I can also memorize, so that it shapes my thoughts, words, or decisions today?

4. Prayer (1 Thess. 5:16-18; Phil. 4:6-7)

If Scripture intake is breathing in God’s truth, prayer is our response to Him. Admittedly, this is hard for me, because prayer is an act of faith. But learning to “pray without ceasing” is Paul’s exhortation—a way we declare that dependence. When I don’t know what to pray, I’ve found God’s Word to be a great source of help as I echo it back to Him in praise and petition.

Reflect: How can Scripture help me praise and seek God in the concerns of my life?   

5. Rest/Sabbath (Matt. 11:28-30; John 15:4-5; Ps. 46:10)

Our busy lives can leave our hearts restless, but I am also convinced that it need not be so. The antidote: taking time to rest in the Lord in a regular rhythm. Daily and weekly rest, worked into the rhythms of our lives, is one way our souls are reoriented and refreshed. Because rest means intentionally ceasing my work for a time, it is also a way that I learn to trust His sovereignty as the Spirit refreshes my soul. It’s not just a means of escape but a way we press into Him to gain the perspective we need before jumping back in again.

Reflect: Where in my schedule can I pause to be with God, as an act of trust, instead of trying to control everything in my life?

6. Worship (Psalm 95:1-7; Rom. 12:1-2)

Worship is the end goal of all our devotion. Whether it is singing, thanksgiving, journaling, or other creative expressions, it is a way we express our love, gratitude and adoration to God. When we worship God, our hearts are reoriented in the right direction. It gives us the fuel we need to persevere and the joy to keep going in ordinary ways.

Reflect: What attribute of God can I thank and praise God for right now? How might I worship Him in the ordinary tasks of my life today?

Connecting the Dots in Your Life Today

As mentioned at the start of the post, these six spiritual disciplines are not rules or laws to follow but ways to keep us present with Christ. They are how we walk by the Spirit and not by our own self-effort. You’re not a better Christian because you practice them—but when we do, we are all the better for it. Which one will you intentionally practice this week?

May the Lord meet you in these small, faithful practices and gently draw your heart back to His presence, again and again.

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