Next Steps
Answer the following questions, journal about them, pray about them, or discuss them with a counselor or trusted friend.
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How much time do you spend alone with God each day? Take an honest look at your schedule and look at where you prioritize your time. Carve out some extra time this week, and if you can, increase your regular times with God—write them in on your calendar if you need to. If you already are spending good amounts of alone time with God, focus now on taking Him with you wherever you go—talking to Him at work, at the grocery store, or in the car. And if you’re already taking Him with you, then try letting Him take you somewhere.
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If you haven’t started a journal yet, now’s the time. Write your first entry today—right now. Write down all your thoughts, tell God about your day, ask Him some questions—anything—just write it down. And then take time to listen and write what God says to you in response. If you already have a journal, take this time to look back at some old entries and see how God has answered your prayers and notice how much He’s grown you and healed you since you wrote them.
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Take your calendar and block out the next month of Sabbaths. Devote them to God and journal about them every week. Notice if your weeks don’t get easier, more productive, more enjoyable, and more free over that time. It can take a while to get used to a Sabbath if you’re a workaholic like me, but once you do, you’ll find yourself looking forward to it week after week.
Now pray this prayer with us:
Lord, there’s nothing I want more than to walk with You in every moment—in every way, through every battle, through every victory, through every sorrow and every joy. And I’m so incredibly thankful that You, the God of the universe, want to walk with me, too. Please light my path and lead me with You one step at a time. Have grace for me when I walk too slow, when I run ahead, and when I wander off the path or get distracted, and teach me to walk with You more closely. Let Your way become my way. Fill my every moment, my every thought, and my entire being. I so enjoy getting to know You, and I want to know You even more as we share this life You’ve given me together. I love You so much. Amen.
This section is taken from a chapter of Matthew Bauer's book, The Journey to Freedom. To learn more about following God with all your heart, soul, and strength, click here to order the book, including Matthew's full teaching on "Walking with God."
BUY NOW: The Journey to Freedom - Navigating the Roadblocks to Abundant Living - by Matthew Bauer