Practical Ways to Build Your Devotional Life
Regardless of where you are in your faith journey, whether you are in the starting blocks, 20 kilometres in at a brisk jogging pace, or bolting at a fast sprint, each of us could use more time with God, and God deserves more time with us. The amount of time we spend with God will determine how well we run the race. Paul talks about our faith being a race and that we need to run with endurance but to do that we need to get rid of the things that will hinder us from running strong (Hebrews 12:1). The stronger (not faster) we run, the healthier our relationship with God! As you read through this post, I urge you to consider what you need to “throw off” and what resources you need to implement in your life to keep running strong in your faith. I hope you get the motivation or gain some tools to improve your devotions that much more.
Firstly, it is important that we define the word devotion so we’re on the same page. Here are a couple definitions that I’ve drawn together:
Cambridge Dictionary Online defines devotion as “loyalty and love or care for someone or something” as well as “religious worship or belief, or prayer and other acts of religious worship”.
Collins Dictionary Online defines devotion as “great love, affection, or admiration for someone”; “commitment to a particular activity”, and “religious worship or strong religious feeling”.
Bible Study Tools’ encyclopedia notes that multiple translations of the bible write “your devotion”, referred to in Acts 17:23 as, “the objects of your worship”, and translate “devotion” in Job 15:4 as “prayer” and “meditation”
For the purposes of this post, the definition of devotion we will use is “a time spent with God in worship, as a means of expressing our love and loyalty”(citation: me). Devotions can include reading the scriptures, reading commentaries, singing, (for those vocally challenged like myself, I’d rather listen to someone else sing), listening to worship music, prayer, and silently spending time in the presence of God. I am reminded that if Jesus would go to the Father in prayer (Mark 1:35) and devote time alone to align himself to the Father, how much more do we need to do the same?
I’ve outlined three common questions we have about devotions and provided some practical steps to help you improve your devotional life!
How Do I My Devotions?
We have to be real with ourselves and admit that everyone’s life is different. Each one of us is carrying out a specific role on this earth, with our own personalities and responsibilities. We all have different schedules and routines. I’ve been the person to say “wow I should read my bible!” and pick it up, flip to a random book, read two chapters, and put it back down. Hey! - maybe I’m alone in that, but I doubt it. As with any habit, it takes a repeated action over time to become stamped in our minds as “natural”. In order for us to make devotion a natural part of our everyday lives, we have to intentionally make room for God.
Step 1: Assess. Your. Schedule.
Take a look at your schedule, your responsibilities and how you spend your time. Some thought-provoking questions to make note of are:
How many hours do we spend working, attending classes, completing assignments?
How many hours do we spend socializing and engaging with friends, family, and fellowship?
How many hours (be honest) do we spend on social media, or other hobbies (and self-care)?
How many hours (again be honest) do we spend on procrastinating?
Once we fully assess the time we spend on each activity every week, it probably will become clear how much time we have that can be reallocated to spending time in devotion. Whether it is 30 minutes at the beginning of our day or an hour and a half at the end. Sometimes, it means getting up earlier. Sometimes it means only spending 15 minutes out of your lunch time eating, and the rest in devotions. But whatever it means for you, it always means more time with Him. If you’re a morning person, if you’re an evening person, or if the only time you’re a coherent human being is at noon, use that time to your advantage to make the most of your time with God.
The reality is that God has given us each certain responsibilities we must fulfill, that must be done to the best of our abilities. The aim isn’t to drop or ignore your responsibilities, but rather to not use them as an excuse that we cannot find time for God.
Step 2: Schedule. The. Time.
We all run on a schedule. 8 am classes and 2 hour transits home. For me, I currently work a 10 hour night shift, so scheduling time with God is essential. If I don’t schedule time with God, I’ll look back at my day and realize that I have not spent any time with Him. One thing I have to do is set an alarm.
Once you’ve figured out when it’s best for you to do your devotions, an alarm is key to making sure that you keep on track (unless you have some sort of internal clock that God chose not to bless me with). An alarm allows for you to ensure that nothing bleeds into or takes away from your time with God. By doing this you won’t have to say, “Oh shoot! I forgot!” or “Time got away from me!”. An alarm keeps you on track and organized.
Step 3: Phone. A. Friend.
Sometimes, we “drop off” – we do all the tips and tricks and then in 2 weeks, we’ve stopped. Having someone who checks in on you to make sure you’re keeping up, or does weekly devotionals with you can be the solution to many of our “drop off” problems. Often times we feel ashamed for the things we do (or don’t do) as Christians. We might shy away from having accountability partners because we don’t want to feel judged or guilty. An accountability partner isn’t meant to be a source of judgement, but rather a source of motivation to keep you on the right track. Running alone, especially when you’ve just started running, also when you’re winded and want to give in, is very hard. Ask friends to run along side of you (it keeps you accountable, and running longer and farther).
2. What should I do when I do devotions?
Once you’ve figured out how to set aside time for God, the next question is what do I do with that time? We’ve already noted that devotions include a variety of acts of worship.
Scripture
Often times we struggle with how to interpret scripture and that can deter us from reading. An important thing to do is to pray that God reveals what He wants us to understand from the scripture as we read it. Also, commentaries like the ones from Bible Study Tools (not sponsored) serve to provide historical background, relational connections, and a deeper look into the scriptures.
Prayer
Prayer is direct communication with God. If you're struggling with prayer, the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) method is a guide to help talk to God. A conversation goes two-ways so also be ready to hear from and listen to God.
Resting in the presence of God
This is one thing I struggle with the most. Everyone does this differently. Some meditate, some listen to certain worship song on repeat, some can sit in silence and just ask God to be with them. For me, I often have worship music playing softly in the background, often times along the lines of “Victory Belongs to Jesus” by Todd Dulaney. I feel peace and joy as I just rest in the presence of God after my prayers, and it helps me set the tone for my days.
A few of our Lifeline leaders have put together their favourite worship song on short playlists that we think really help us focus on God. Here is the links to check them out:
https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/ebonis-worship-songs-lifeline/pl.u-9N9LvDeF2KKJrq
https://open.spotify.com/user/henrick.anton/playlist/50vHTWmRGZr7Gm0Af7rFE1?si=TJ-Bu00jQLK_fj1u9EpnDw
3. Where Do I Start?
You have all this information, and may still be looking for a jumping off point. I find that I’ve always struggled to find some kind of topic to discuss with God, outside of my usual prayers of thanksgiving, supplication and intercession. Where do we start? My suggestion is for you to search your mind and heart. Be honest with God and start to tell Him about your day. Don’t make it complicated, he just wants to hear from us.
Did your pastor/priest say something during the sermon that set off a light bulb or a spark in your mind that Sunday? Write it down. Your friend mentioned a new bible verse they were reading that you’ve never heard of? Go read it. Did they mention a bible verse you’ve read 100 times but you’ve never seen it the way they see it? Read it again. Do you have doubts and questions about your faith that you’ve been afraid to confront? Pray about it and do some research!
The truth is, I myself have gone through ups and downs in my personal devotional life. My love and awe for God has not stopped growing, yet I find myself getting stuck in cycles. At the very top of my cycle, I’m steeped in the presence of Jesus as I spend hours a day with God, us two alone. At the lowest of my cycle, I’m depleted and depressed - exhausted and feeling unable to talk to Him. But what keeps me going is knowing that God offers me the rest I need. That’s why devotions (and sabbath, but that’s for another discussion) are so important. If you know me, you’ll know I’m known for my smiles and my quick wit. I’m also passionate about broken people being made whole again. Beyond all that I’ve faced real hardships, and I don’t know how I would have made it without my God. I need time with God to keep running my race strong. God deserves my time and my worship. When I find myself saying “I don’t have time”, I have to pause and remind myself, “Who do you serve?”.
Written by: Chantal Townsend, Lifeline Leader, Ryerson alumni
Citations:
“Devotion Definition and Meaning: Collins English Dictionary.” Devotion Definition and Meaning | Collins English Dictionary, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/devotion.
“Devotion; Devotions - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.” Bible Study Tools, Salem Web Network, https://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/devotion-devotions.html.
“DEVOTION: Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary.” Cambridge Dictionary, Cambridge University Press, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/devotion.