I have been trying to write about four different things at one time, but I keep hearing God urge me to take about seven steps back and remind His people how to stay close to him. I guess for now I’ll close the other posts and work on this one because it is something that matters deeply. It is something that we must do before we truly understand what my next posts are about. When I think of staying close to Jesus, I think of three main things.

1. Read His Word Daily 

I know this may seem like a daunting task, but I promise you it is not. You do not have to sit down for an hour every day and read through the Bible. You do not have to take notes every single time. You also do not have to read a physical copy of the Bible. One of my favorite ways to read the Bible on the go is by using the YouVersion Bible App or the SheReadsTruth App on my phone. These are both easy ways to have the Word of God at my fingertips for any moment. They both have the ability to highlight and make notes right within the application so you don’t have to have a lot of materials with you. I use this method when I am sitting waiting for an oil change or at the doctor’s office. One of my other favorite ways to get in some quality time in his word is by opening a physical Bible. I use the SheReadsTruth Bible and I love how at the beginning of each book of the bible it has a reading plan. I am currently reading through Psalms with it and it does not take me more than 20 minutes a day. One last way that I enjoy digging into his word is by reading Bible studies. There are so many wonderful studies and devotionals on the YouVersion App, through SheReadsTruth, as well as other places. I try to stick to ones that  use  reading from the Bible. These are a great place to start if you’ve never tried digging into God’s word before. 

2. Pray, Pray, Pray 

This second point probably seems obvious, but it is so easy to forget or not make time to speak to the father. The Bible tells us to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This does not mean pray once in the morning and once in the evening and you’re done. Pray continually. Pray without stopping. Pray throughout your day. If you were to drive by me on my way to work or on my way home you would probably think I am talking to myself, but I am actually praying. On my way to work I’m praying over my day and the kids in my classroom and on my way home I am praying for things that may have happened during the day and thanking God for all the good. This past spring when I was interviewing for a new job, I would walk circles around my house praying and singing to Jesus. I would ask that he would make the old brand new and because of that I had so much peace in my interviews. I knew that with whatever happened it would be his plan and his will. Sometimes I write my prayers out. During the depths of quarantine when it seemed like every city had shut down, I made myself a prayer journal and for months that’s what my heart needed. Right now writing down my prayers just isn’t working for me. Seasons change and your heart needs different things at different times, but it always needs prayer - whatever that may look like. 

3. The people In your life matter

Be friends with people who push you closer to Jesus. Be friends with people who study His word with you. Be friends with people who pray for you. Be friends with people who cry out to Jesus with you in the nasty valleys and praise him with you on the mountaintops. Friendships are so important and not every friend is going to be this person to you, but you get to be that person to other people as they figure out who Jesus is. If you are single - marry someone who brings you closer to Jesus before he worries about you being close to him. Marry  someone who asks you what the Bible is teaching you so they can keep you accountable in seeking his word. Marry someone who encourages with the Word and not just his own words. This even goes into social media. Follow people who bring light in the dark world. Follow people who truly point their followers to Christ. Here are a few of my favorite people to follow on Instagram: Wynne Elder @wynneelder, Lindsay Wilkins @lindsay.m.wilkins, Courtney Kassner (crewandco), and Jamie Ivey @jamieivey. This is just a short list of Instagram accounts I follow that truly fill my heart and honestly challenge me to be a better person. Most of them are just other women seeking Jesus daily. Jamie Ivey is an author and speaker and Courtney Kassner owns a pretty epic business. The people who are in your life matter. Either you are showing them who Jesus is or they are showing you and that is a big deal. 

There you have it. My top three things to help you stay close to Jesus. I am not perfect at these things, but together we can get better and better. I would love to hear your favorite way to connect with Him so drop me a note in the comments section. 

Xoxo, 

Rachel Marie