In many ways people use "devotions" to get their Bible time in and connect with God. But as I sat and read my devotions, I realized I'm not really connecting with God, like really connecting. I'm reading someone else's thoughts about a particular situation, their take on it and a verse that goes along with it. Sure the devotion that day will speak to me but that doesn't help me connect with God.
In order for me to connect with God, I need to dive deeper into His Word. How do I do that? I need to look at the pages of the devotion and see what words stick out at me. What word or words is God trying to focus my eyes on? Be still and listen. Think. Read it again. Suddenly a word pops out of the pages. Now it's time to dive deeper. So I pull out one of my Bibles. Yes, I said Bibles, as in many. There are different types of Bibles. Some are studying Bibles, these have history and maps and even foot notes to help you understand what is happening during that time period. Some have concordance, this a list of words with every verse in the Bible with that word. So if the word or words, such as, "suffering", "trials", "courage", or "strength" jump out of the pages of the devotion, then you look up those words up in the concordance to see what God is trying to show you. And what is it He is trying to tell you.
Sometimes diving deeper can take awhile. You may find time has stood still. You may get lost in time. And the next thing you know, it's been an hour maybe two. It's important that you have the time to spend with God. Don't just check off a box on your to-do-list. Don't get me wrong, I have found myself doing that very thing. Check mark. Once you are aware, you can ask God for forgiveness.
That is one of the greatest feelings, knowing that you have been forgiven and that your wrong has been forgotten. That is a whole other topic. Anyways... as the various sayings go... "stop and smell the roses", "stop, look, and listen", be still my friend for God has something amazing to show and tell you.
