Overarching Benefits to a Robust Spirituality
I become more aware of God's presence throughout my day when engaging in work and other activities.
I have spent well over a year now attempting to commune with God for ample amounts of time each day in prayer, Scripture, worship, and contemplation. My hope is to get as close to Christ as I possibly can while on earth. I've already discovered plenty of personal benefits to communing with Christ. Here are just four overarching benefits that I've noticed (they form the acronym A.C.T.S.):
Awareness – When I commune with Christ each day, I become more aware of His presence in my life. I'm able to acknowledge the presence of God better when I practice intentional stillness and contemplation. I become more aware of the awesomeness of God and I appropriately humble myself before Him. I not only become more aware of God's presence during intentional prayer. My awareness of God extends beyond the times of prayer. I become more aware of God's presence throughout my day when engaging in work and other activities.
Calmness – I get a sense of peace whenever I meet with the Lord in prayer and contemplation. I become less anxious about life and the different problems I encounter. I'm able to lay my burdens and worries before the Lord and receive confidence that He is with me. My problems usually shrink in comparison to the power and grandeur of God. My mind and my body also benefit from feeling less tense and stressed. I am then able to approach life in a calm and collected manner.
Thankfulness – I become more grateful in life. In prayer and contemplation, I'm able to pause long enough to reflect on the goodness of God. I am able to take note of the many wonderful things that He has done for me. I end up with a posture of gratitude and contentment.
Steadfastness - When I engage in intentional prayer and contemplation, the Lord grants me courage to do what He has called me to do. Sometimes, I feel afraid to do something. The Lord changes my heart through prayer and I am more able to boldly step out in faith to do it. I become more steadfast to whatever God is calling me to do in life.
There are plenty more benefits that I receive from spending quality amounts of time with the Lord each day. These are just four of the overarching benefits I encounter on a regular basis. What benefits will you discover as you spend more and more time with Christ in prayer, Scripture, worship, and contemplation?
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
