Time is a valuable commodity and we can only move forward in time. Just like we invest our money, we are investing our time – hours, minutes, and seconds – into something every single day. It’s so important that one of those deposits of your time is to invest in your relationship with God.
There are so many different ways that you can invest in your relationship with God. Relationships should not be robotic tasks that we preform each day to check off a box. They are fluid! Relationships involve sharing, talking, and knowing one another.
Do you feel stuck in a rut when it comes to your relationship with God? You don’t have be stuck any longer. Here are ten different ways to invest in your relationship with God and stop the religious boxes. As you read through the list, choose one or two that are outside your comfort zone and try them this week!
#1 – Rest
Hebrews 4:1-3 NIV – “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest…”
Did you know that rest is one of the many ways you can invest in your relationship with God. When we choose to rest it doesn’t mean we do nothing. Instead it means that we are at peace in our spirit, mind, and soul as we trust Him with all areas of our lives.
Rest is actually a promise He has given us (Hebrews 4:1). All we have to do is believe in Christ’s finished work on the cross (Hebrews 4:3). This promise allows us to live in the original design in the Garden of Eden – to be with God – just as it was before the fall.
#2 – Journal
Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV – “Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Journaling is another way to grow your relationship with God. There are so many ways you can use journaling to connect to Him. Whether you are sharing your heart or writing down what God is saying to you this is a powerful way to connect with Him. Putting thoughts into writing makes them more real.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 reveals the power of writing things down. Writing things down helps to bring clarity or “make it plain”. If you’ve been struggling to find direction journaling can help bring His plans for you into focus.
#3 – Study the Bible
Psalm 119:105 NIV – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Reading the Bible isn’t always easy. Often it takes a perspective shift to usher in a different experience. Psalm 119 is the longest psalm and talks about the many different blessings that come from spending time in the Word of God.
If you’ve struggled with studying the Bible as way to invest in. your relationship with God – there is hope! This verse paints an amazing picture of the Word of god being a lamp. Think of your time in the Word as the Lord turning on a light switch for you, revealing the path He’s created for you, and showing you the way to go. Trust that when you study the Bible that He is leading you to ALL truth!
#4 – Worship
Psalm 63:1-3 NIV – “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land there there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.”
Another fun way to invest in your relationship with God is to worship! You can sing your own song or put on your favorite worship playlist. Worship gets our eyes off of what’s happening in our lives and onto Him.
If you are looking for some new worship music here are some suggestions: Elevation Worship, Hillsong Worship, Maverick City, Upperroom, Bethel Music, Dappy T Keys, Housefires, Kari Jobe, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, United Pursuits, Jason Upton, Steve Swanson, or Rita Springer.
#5 – Memorize Scripture
Psalm 119:11 NIV – “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
John 1:1 says that the “Word was with God and the Word was God” and verse 14 says “the Word became flesh.” In short, when we memorize scripture we are actually getting to know Jesus, who is the Word! Getting to know Him through memorizing Scripture is an amazing way to invest in your relationship with God.
#6 – Pray
Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
You’ve probably thought of this one before, but when you pray do you approach God with confidence. Hebrews 11:1 says, “faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see” which is describes a faith filled prayer.
Confidently approaching God is part of your inheritance as His son or daughter. If you’re struggling to come boldly simply spend some time reflecting on what Jesus has done for you and why He did it…it was ALL for YOU!
#7 – Listen
Proverbs 1:1-6 NIV – ” The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.”
Listening reveals wisdom and ushers in understanding and learning. It is an integral part of prayer that many believers neglect. Matthew 7:7 promises that if we ask we will receive. Asking is easy, but do you position yourself to receive the answer? Many times receiving the answer you’re asking for is as easy as taking the time to listen. Listening is a key to investing in your relationship with God because it gives Him the opportunity to answer you!
#8 – Go For A Walk Outside
Colossians 1:6 ESV – “For by Him all things were created, in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him.”
Creation displays the glory of God. Everything that was created was created by Him and for Him. Therefore, when you spend time outside in creation you can actually invest in your relationship with God because He’s there! Next time you go outside for a walk, tune you’re heart’s attention to Him and invite Him to speak to you. You might be surprised at what He shares with you in such a fun way!
#9 – Tithe
Nehemiah 10:35-37 NIV – “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree. 36 As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there. 37 Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.”
We often think of a tithe as money, and it is, but it doesn’t have to be. You can tithe your time, your possessions, and resources. In the verse above you can see they were giving their first fruits, or tithe, of cattle, flocks, ground meal, grain, and more! Remember, through tithing, that all we have is from Him and belongs to Him is another way to invest in your relationship with God.
#10 – Surrender
Romans 12:1-2 NIV – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The Kingdom of God is not of this world. Jesus powerfully displayed this truth through His entrance into the world and exit from it. When you surrender to His ways He can empower you to life in the world, but not of the world. There is so much available in surrender and it is another powerful way to invest in your relationship with God.
What areas of your heart can you surrender to Him today?
What Now?
Do something! Do something different! Take some of these ideas, especially the ones you’ve never tried before, and do them. Get creative and make a point to invest in your relationship with God!
