Friday

 

Today is Day 5 in our week of implementing small changes for big impact in our lives. Today’s change will help us do all of the previous ones better and bring us into a closer relationship with God.

The above picture shows what my phone alarm clock has looked liked every day this week (all day long). I set an alarm for every hour that would not interrupt someone else. On the hour my alarm went off and I stopped briefly and talked to God. I made contact with Him. My only agenda was to make contact with God.

• I thanked Him.
• I sat in His presence.
• I talked to Him about what was on my heart at that moment.
• I gave Him what was bothering me.
• I asked for guidance.

I let the reminder of the alarm bring me back to God. Even from hour to hour it is easy to forget God and do life my way in my strength. The alarm helped bring me into a rhythm of turning my thoughts toward God and remembering His constant presence in my life. By the end of the day coming into God’s presence was like coming home for a warm hug. It wasn’t as difficult and I could pick up with God where I left off. My goal, of course, is to never leave His presence, but I’m in process. It will take a while for me, probably the rest of my life. However, this alarm system is the most effective thing that has helped me “abide” in Jesus (John 15:5). I plan on continuing to use it.

Will you give it a try? Set the alarm on your phone for every hour that won’t interrupt someone else or be inappropriate (during a meeting or a lunch date for example). If your phone doesn’t have this feature, think of what else would serve as a reminder for you to enter God’s presence—sticky notes, a note on the desktop of your computer, etc.

It’s Friday—I’d love to hear how your week was different because of one or two things you tried.

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.