NOW WHAT?

I pray that these words you are about to read will speak some truth, light, and fresh air into your life today! I’m asking God to speak through me so that what I type is purposeful. Anything and everything I do I want to be done for God’s glory alone. 

My last post was written to urge everyone to ask the big questions in life. I hope that it encouraged you to dig a little deeper and start to seek Him. But…NOW WHAT?

A lot of people say starting is the most difficult part. I would have to argue that the silence after the start is the hardest. You asked yourself some questions, maybe listened to a podcast or prayed a prayer, but what on earth are you supposed to do now? No clouds in the sky spelt out that God heard you, no sign was sent from Heaven that obviously shows God is real, and you didn’t hear the Lord say anything out loud. So, what do you do next? Isn’t this supposed to be a two-way street? 

I’ve been there. I’ve prayed for God to show me a miracle. I’ve laid in my bed at night just wishing I could hear His voice. I’ve gotten so frustrated from the silence and so confused by the why. 

Today, I want to share with y’all some steps to take next in your relationship with God.

First, it is a relationship, not a religion. People that didn’t grow up with a faith background get scared by the word religion because the words “rules, history, and suffering” come alongside the word “religion.” GOOD NEWS, God doesn’t want you to feel like you are stuck under Christianity, He wants to have a relationship with you!  

Secondly, relationships take time and effort! Family, friends, and significant others all have something in common… for the relationship to prosper, you have to make them a priority. Your relationship with the Lord is no different. 

I went to a summer camp called JH Ranch (best time of my life!) I’m sure I will write a blog post on it someday, but all you need to know is that the camp is where my life truly changed. Going into my Freshman year of High School, I had faith in God, but my relationship with Him wasn’t strong. By far the biggest piece of advice I learned from JH Ranch was to have daily “Quiet Time,” also referred to as “Jesus Time” in my family. 

So, what is Quiet Time? 

Personally, I love to wake up, grab some coffee, and sit in a quiet place to do my “Jesus Time” every morning. When I start my day off right, with my mind focused on things above, I can physically and mentally see my perspective change. I’m nicer to my family, I think of more ways to serve my loved ones, I have more joy and purpose, and I feel like I can conquer my day head on! Don’t get me wrong… I have missed plenty of “Quiet Times.” I have put studying for Anatomy in the morning over being filled with God’s Word (still don’t have any idea why I did that.) I have been too lazy, or made excuses. I have even justified not doing my “Jesus Time” because it was picture day and I was supposed to look good. My hand is hitting my head right about now. 

However, through those missed days, I have been able to tell that the time I take to spend with God truly alters my life. 

Like I said before, I do mine in the morning because it gives me a fresh start to my day. But, I know plenty of people who like to do theirs at night so that they can reflect on their day. I don’t think God cares when you spend time with Him, as long as you are spending that time with Him. In the car on the way to school you could listen to a podcast; Instead of reading a romance novel, you could read an inspirational book about Christianity; you can pray (talk to God) absolutely anywhere. I pray in the classroom, at practice, when I’m about to say something I shouldn’t, in the car, in the bath, and wherever I am doing my “Jesus Time.”

So, what does that time look like?  

I believe that this special time looks differently for everyone. However, I will give you some tips and tricks that I have loved using. 

• Get a journal! I know you all have had a diary at some point in your life, but now's the time to get a journal. Aka a more mature diary ;) This is where you can tell God everything you are feeling, and one day look back on it and realize He answered your prayers. My journal has wet marks from my tears and has colorful pictures drawn from my joy. It’s the place I go to, to write out Bible verses that mean something to me and where I put quotes or advice that spoke to me. The first step is to go get one because you don’t want to miss what God is doing in your life… WRITE IT DOWN! 

• Get in the Word! I know, I know, the Bible is hard to read. However, the Bible is the truth. It is what we are supposed to base our life around. It is filled with wisdom, advice, and stories of how great our Heavenly Father is. Thanks to today's technology, if you don’t understand what you read in the Bible, you can look up commentary or meaning behind a certain passage. The only thing is I would be careful with what websites you are trusting, because there are people out there who aren’t telling the whole truth. 

• If you don’t know where to begin in the Word, that is totally okay. I have been there friend. My advice would be to start reading a book that has Bible references in it. I am reading Trusting God by Jerry Bridges right now and it is filled with scripture and Bridge’s annotation. Books help me understand what God is saying a lot more because authors are normally wiser and have more experience than myself. I wrote some recommendations down in my last blog that are great, but I’m sure you can find so many more good ones by just looking it up online or asking a friend. 

• Worship music!!! Go to Apple Music or Spotify and look up some jams. Lauren Daigle, for KING & COUNTRY, Hillsong UNITED, MercyMe, Bethel Music, Elevation Worship, and soooo many more great bands and artists! Worship music is such a great way to feel the presence of God. Trust me and go check it out. 

• My last tip for starting your “Quiet Time” is to be vulnerable with the Lord and ask Him to speak to you (not audibly, He talks to us through a lot of other ways!) Many times I have no idea where to start, but when I pray for God to show me something, He shows up. Through a specific verse I needed to hear, or through a text from a friend, He always shows up. 

Your relationship with God is a journey, a process. You aren’t going to get all your prayers answered right away, it takes time. That is because God has a plan far greater than anything we can think up. He knows the right time. His will is best. I have been through ups and downs in my relationship with the Lord, but He is always the same. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 

The world’s desires are going to fail you at some point. They always will disappoint. Our God is the only thing that will truly fulfill you. Believe me, I know that you are going to have to figure that out for yourself, but I pray with all my heart that you try, because He is worth it. 

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I pray that God reveals Himself to you as you wholeheartedly seek Him. Reach out, ask questions, talk to God and talk to others who are going through the same journey!!! 

With all my love, Delaney Dilfer :)