How To Be Where Jesus Is
Up to the age of 40, my spiritual journey was akin to a tightrope walker precariously balancing between two worlds. On Sundays, I was a Sunday churchgoer, learning about God. On weekdays, my faith remained dormant. Amidst this duality, I experienced a profound nudge from Jesus: "You need to decide whether you’re going to follow me, or not. Go beyond Sunday, take the leap, and follow me."
From that moment, I realized that to truly follow Jesus, we must not only admire His teachings but also emulate His day-to-day life, particularly the spiritual practices that connected Him deeply with the Father’s heart.
Jesus: Living Testament of Being Close to the Father
Jesus’ relationship with His Father was the cornerstone of His earthly life. John 1:18 beautifully captures this, stating, “No one has ever seen God. But the only Son is close to the Father’s heart.” Moreover, in John 12:26, Jesus invites us into this sacred space, “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am...” The connection between these two verses, for me, is clear: to follow Jesus, we need to be where He is, and where is Jesus? Close to His Father’s heart.
By understanding and emulating Jesus' spiritual practices, we too can cultivate closeness to the Father’s heart. So, how did Jesus maintain this intimacy? Here’s a few practices of His:
Embracing Silence: Amidst the hustle and busyness, Jesus sought moments of quiet, allowing God’s voice to be the loudest.
Seeking Solitude: Often, Jesus would retreat to solitary places, nurturing His relationship with God, reminding us of the importance of individual communion with Him too.
Diligent Prayer: Prayer wasn't a ritual, but a heartfelt conversation with the Father, strengthening their bond.
Reading God’s Word: Jesus often quoted scriptures, showcasing the depth of His connection and understanding of God’s teachings.
Adapting Spiritual Practices to Your Life
As a certified Spiritual Practices Coach and the voice behind “Your Spiritual Practices” newsletter, I’ve walked along side many on their spiritual journeys. Each path is unique, but the foundational practices remain consistent. Tailor them according to the season of life you’re in.
Actionable Steps:
Begin Small: Dedicate 10-minutes daily of focused time to one of the spiritual practices listed above.
Journal: Pen down your thoughts, spiritual revelations, and prayers. It aids reflection and growth.
Seek Guidance: Engage with a spiritual mentor or Spiritual Practices Coach to learn how the spiritual practice you chose can align best with your current phase of life.
Conclusion
Our call as followers of Jesus is not just to admire Him from afar but to walk the path He walked, to be where He is – close to the Father’s heart. By integrating the spiritual practices of Jesus into our lives, we inch closer to this divine closeness, forging a deep-rooted bond with our Creator.
Takeaway: Be where Jesus is, close to the Father's heart.