Little Practical Helps for the Distracted Spirit

I think every now and then it’s worthwhile to get practical.

Spiritual life can sometimes feel all ether and air, but in truth the nitty-gritty aspects of how we practice our faith matter a lot.  For some of us, they can make the difference between growing closer to God or falling into the trap of “just another day.”  And frankly, in a life where both darkness and the world can distract me from my aim of knowing God, I want all the help I can get.

So below is a list of small hacks and practices that work for me to (mostly) keep me on task in my spiritual life and growing closer to God.  They might not work for everyone, but if something sounds right to you, steal it—and share your own little practices in the comments.

1. Keep your Bible visible.

I do have a Bible app that I use when I need access out and about, or just if I’m in another floor of the house.  But putting the hard copy of my large and obvious Bible in a visible place (for me, a shelf at my writing desk) means that it’s harder to forget my daily Scripture reading.

• Actually, put Bibles everywhere.

I have a ridiculous amount of Bibles: an AMP translation, a travel Bible, a journaling Bible, a Gideon Bible from my church…  I used to only use them when I wanted a specific translation,  but now I’ve put them everywhere: my car, my campus office, my bedroom, my den, my work desk…  Again, the visible reminder is helpful.

• Only “the good, the beautiful, and the true” an hour before bed.

Phone away.  Computer away.  TV and screens away.  An hour before bed my only job is to fill myself up with the good, the beautiful, and the true—whether that’s music, Bible reading or a Christian book, prayer, or simply crocheting while praying.  It helps make a difference in how I go to bed.

• Make a service list.

If I don’t write down that I need to call Bob’s wife Susan about her appendectomy, I will not do it.  I’ll forget. I get too busy.  So I write prayer requests, to-dos about making phone calls or sending texts and cards, and even reminders (“check on Carol’s surgery Feb 15”) into my work planner.  Can’t miss ‘em.

• Pair your disciplines.

I pray while I walk in the morning.  I pray at night when I light a candle.  I try to start my day off with gratitude to God when I brush my teeth.  Pair your spiritual habits with your regular ones and see if that helps with consistency.

• Keep holy reminders.

I have a beautiful trio of framed, embroidered Celtic crosses in my bedroom.  A written Bible verse at my writing desk.  I have a prayer pendant—a cross—that I sometimes hang here and there as a reminder to pray.  Visual reminders of God’s presence matter.

• Keep your inspirations.

I cannot set up stones in the desert because of God’s great works, but I can write in my journal.  Daily, I think over the day for what I call “glitters”: the Bible verse that emerged or struck me or that God called to me, a particular image or moment that drew me to think about God, something that God did for me that moved or surprised me.  I find it more moving and meaningful than a simple “gratitude journal” – and it’s astonishing and moving to read back over.

• Listen when you can’t read.

Busy day?  I get it.  Forget your Bible reading because you’re commuting during rush hour?  Set up alternatives to Scripture study and prayer time so that if you wind up in other circumstances you can still take time for God.  The Hallow audio readings and the YouBible app have been of great help to me for this.

• Do one task with or for the Lord.

I often do this with dinner.  Take one daily task that you have to do and engage the Lord while you do it.  I so enjoy doing it when preparing meals because it becomes a very sensory experience—I am thanking God for sizzling garlic and onions, thinking of Christ as I consider a loaf of bread, praying for those whom I’ll feed.

1. Change your posture.

The thing about including God in your day is that sometimes you start approaching God the same way you do any other task: absently and without much thought.  Change this by changing your posture.  If you want to focus on God, get out of your chair—and kneel, or walk around, or sit down in a different place, or move your hands in praise.