Friend, are you in a lonely season?
Do you need an extra dose of love, encouragement, and support? Are you reading Bible verses that remind you of the presence and love of Jesus (and your Heavenly Father) - but are longing for more?
Or maybe you're not in a lonely season but are looking to deepen your connection with Jesus or God. Well guess what? While we can rest easy knowing that they are always with us, these are also two-way relationships! With the Creator of the Universe and His son who died for us!
So let's not just read about their presence - but act. Initiate. Facilitate. Create some sparks and see what happens! Whether you're in a low place or looking for fresh ideas to connect, this episode is for you! I'm going to give you 5 creative, out-of-the-box ideas that are sure to inspire!
Show Notes:
Intro
Hello there, lady friend. Real quick, before I dive into today’s episode, I want to ask a small favor. If you listen to this episode and it blesses you in some way...or if you’ve listened to any of my other episodes...I would love it if you could leave a review on iTunes. This feedback helps me to gauge what content is resonating with my listeners the most - so I can continue to serve in that specific way. And it helps other women just like yourself find the podcast. More positive reviews equals more visibility. So if you’d be willing to do that, I would greatly appreciate it.
Ok, onto today’s topic of creatively sparking connection with Jesus or our Heavenly Father - especially in lonely seasons. Although you certainly don’t have to limit these to when you’re feeling lonely. Right? You can use these anytime you want to; I’m sure Jesus and God would love that.
And I say Jesus and God because we can choose to focus on connecting with either or both of them. Sometimes I find myself eager for a conversation with Jesus. Sometimes I want the comfort of my Heavenly Father. There aren’t any limitations here - just creativity, ideas, and a desire to initiate connection.
Because I think a lot of times we get into this way of thinking where us initiating connection primarily happens through prayer and worship - such as singing in church on Sunday. And of course reading the Word. All of which are important things.
But we’re also females...we’re all about relationships. And we’re creative; we get that from our Heavenly Father. So why not apply those desires to our relationship with Jesus and God? Why not be fun and creative and put some things out there and see what happens? Open ourselves up for them to surprise us?
So let’s look at some ideas of things you can do. And we’ll cover a wide range here:
Ask Jesus or God to speak to you through your love language
Have you heard of the 5 love languages? If not, I highly recommend either grabbing the book by Gary Chapman or Googling “five love languages.” There are tons of blog posts that will give you the gist.
Basically, different personalities feel love in different ways. You can have one love language or more than one. I have two. The five love languages are: quality time, physical touch (which are my two); acts of service; words of affirmation; and receiving gifts.
When someone shows us love through our love language, that really hits home for us. We feel so, so loved. So why not ask Jesus or God to love you through your love language? And see what happens?
Now, if your love language is physical touch, for example, you might think, “Well, how’s that going to work?” Jesus could compel someone in your life to suddenly give you a much-needed hug. He could show up and hug you in your dreams...and we all know our dreams can feel just as real as true life...sometimes more so.
And Jesus, or God, can certainly give you words of affirmation; a gift; a service; even quality time. They can do it themselves or use someone to give that love through.
The big idea isn’t to get bogged down in the how. But just to throw the invitation out there and see how Jesus or God respond. Especially if you are going through a lonely spell. Ask them to love you in the way that speaks to your heart the most, as it were.
Ask Jesus or God to surprise you
Sometimes, we simply can’t find the words. Maybe we’re feeling so low and lonely that we don’t even know what to ask for. We just know we need some heavenly love. In that case, guess what? It’s okay to ask Jesus to surprise you. Put out the request in faith and see what happens.
You can also just look at this as a way to have fun. You’re kinda throwing down the gauntlet, right? Issuing a challenge. And let me tell you, when someone truly loves you, they don’t tend to shy away from that kind of challenge. They’re like, “Oh...let me see what I can do! How can I go all out?”
And honestly, lady, we spend way too much time expecting way too little of God. As humans, we’re very good at keeping God in our boxes. Well, this is a way to throw that box wide open! Open yourself up to something more. God loves blowing our minds and showing us what He can do. And He loves us.
Create a sacred ritual for just the two of you
Now, when I say ritual, I don’t mean a religious ritual. In other words, doing something for the sake of repetition or ritual. I mean more of a consistent interaction that you keep as a priority. But a special one. One that’s only meant for the two of you.
I’ve heard of ladies setting the table for herself and Jesus - and having a conversation with Him over dinner or tea. It could be a daily walk in the park. A weekly hour of scrapbooking where you visually represent what God means to you or what’s going on in your life.
It could be anything, really. What is it that you enjoy doing? Song writing? Cooking? Just curling up on the couch with a cup of coffee? What feels natural to you? When do you feel the most connected to Jesus?
What activities do you often wish you weren’t doing alone? That you had someone with you? Is it something you can invite Jesus to do with you?
It could be that something comes to mind right away. Or maybe you just need to think about it for a bit. Even pray over it. The possibilities are endless; you just need to find what appeals to you - and make it just for you two.
Go down memory lane
Memories are one of the most powerful things when it comes to connection and relationships. It’s why we have pictures and photo albums (printed or digital). It’s why we can easily get caught up in rehashing old times and looking at photos and reveling in the emotions associated with that time or event.
Especially if it involves someone showing us that they love us. And who loves us more than our Heavenly Father? Or Jesus - who died for our sins?
I’m sure there are many memory lanes to walk down in your Christian journey. Even if you’re a newer Christian, and you’re just starting your walk with Christ, you’re going to have a few. The moment of your salvation being very fresh in your mind.
All that to say, revisit memory lane. Whether it’s by photos or visiting places where the memories happened - or places that are related. Talking to the other people who were there and shared in that experience. Getting the gang back together for a meal or a group call. Just reveling in that memory and in what Jesus did or what others did in His name. How you felt and what amazed you. All of that.
And if you’re super creative, and want to take it to the next level, create something to keep the memory alive. An artwork. A song. A special recipe. (Food is always a good memory inducer, right? Smell and taste are two very powerful senses.) A scrapbook. Whatever’s your fancy.
Indulge your inner child
I like to say that I’m 41 going on 4. My favorite drink at Chick-fil-a is the Hi-C fruit punch. My apartment features 3D puzzles that I put together myself. And I have a cart that houses crayons and coloring books.
I’m creative - and I’m down with it. I’m also child-like even though I’m an empowered, responsible woman. But no matter what age I am, I’m still a child of God. And I’m sure He sees me as both a woman and child. In the best sense, right?
There’s something to be said for child-like faith. That just trusting of Jesus without questions or hesitation. And I think sometimes it’s perfectly fine to let out our inner child and let her express love to her Savior or Heavenly Father without worrying about what someone else thinks.
Plus, it’s always fun to do something seemingly ridiculous. Like color something for Jesus and hang it on the fridge for Him. Or drawing Him a picture. Or making Him a mixed tape (or whatever our modern version would be; a playlist maybe?) Or getting out the Bedazzler and making a rockin’ Jesus-themed jean jacket. Or whatever it is you loved to do as a child!
I mean, talk about creating amazing memories! If you did any one of those with a friend, you’d be giggling yourselves to the point where you couldn’t breathe - and then talking about it for as long as you live.
You don’t think Jesus wouldn’t do the same? I can hear Him laughing even as I’m doing this episode...I mean, who can’t laugh over Bedazzling a Jesus jean jacket?
And let’s be honest...letting out our inner child...that’s allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. Even if we’re highly creative, which means our child might appear more than most, it’s still vulnerable. And Jesus loves that. He’s going to honor that, and treasure that, and protect that. And hold it dear.
So don’t be afraid to give your inner child some free reign.
Wrap-up
Alright, friend, we have covered 5 creative ways to spark, or initiate, or draw closer to Jesus - or our Heavenly Father - however you want to phrase it. And I hoped it inspired you and that some specific ideas are currently running around your brain, ready to be explored and unleashed!
Because at the end of the day, sister, it’s about relationship. And when we take even the smallest steps, or take a tiny bit of initiative, God will meet us there. Jesus will meet us there. The Holy Spirit, who is our comforter, will also be present in the midst of it.
Even on the days where we feel so low or lonely. Especially on those days. You won’t be alone, ever. But in order to combat the feeling of loneliness, it can help so much to take that first step. To take a little bit of action - even if it’s just prayer.
And if you’re not necessarily in a season of loneliness, and just want to strengthen the relationship and have some fun, that’s completely fine too! See what God does. Bedazzle your heart out! And don’t let anyone make you feel like it’s wrong.