5 steps to developing a stronger relationship with God
BEING a devoted Christian in today’s society is hard. With so many temptations out there, it is easier to drift away from God, than to grow closer to Him. If temptation is not the issue, it’s time. Balancing school work, chores, extra-curricular activities and sleep… leaves no time for God. You have successfully made it through a day, yet not one minute out of it is spent saying a thank-you prayer to the One who gave you a chance to live that day.
Some of you grow away from Him without meaning to. It just happens. You are not necessarily caught up in things that are wrong, but you are caught up nonetheless. There is a way to change this though. Hope is not yet lost.
TEENage wishes to express that even person who is not Christian is guilty of this. Some of you, even though you may not be a born again Christian, you make up for it being Christian-like. You too have drawn away from God because of some reason or the other. Here are some ways to pull you closer back to Him;
Step 1
Make the decision. You cannot go into something, without making the decision to do what it takes. You must decide whether it’s important to you, or not, and how important it is to you. Afterwards, decide to make some changes in your life and dedicate yourself to the cause. Gather the enthusiasm you need. Put it on your to-do list, paste it on your wall. Be proud of your decision!
Step 2
Find a good church that you feel comfortable in. It must be of an environment in which you are free to get involved. You must realise that you need the support of others and that is where the church comes in. Once you’ve found a church, make it a duty to go every week. A bible study class must be offered, make the effort to attend. Helping in your church’s development, helps in your own development. Find a way to serve.
Step 3
READ YOUR BIBLE. If it’s while on the bus, during your free time at school or just before you go to bed… you need to read it. You need to know the word for yourself before you try to talk to someone else about the word. We recommend the Revised Standard Version or the New International Version. This is easier to read and understand. Be equipped.
Step 4
Try to have an active prayer life. Set aside a time — even five minutes — to be alone with God and pray. It’s not hard to pray. Just think about having a conversation with one of you friends… that’s how you can do it. Talk to Him and He will hear. Remember to thank Him in all you do. You may have gotten a 98 per cent on a test last week and you just remembered today, it’s still not too late to say ‘Thank You’. Ask Him to change your heart and to increase your faith and devotion to Him. A plea for patience, forgiveness, strength and a change in negative behaviour is recommended.
Step 5
Make a daily effort to change. You won’t be perfect overnight. You may do something wrong and then realise that you did. The next time the opportunity comes up to do that thing again, DON’T! It will feel great to overcome that temptation!
— Shantayaé Grant