Do you ever feel like you lost Jesus somewhere? I often feel like I lose Him in the middle of my daily crazy. Of course we can’t really lose Jesus, but sometimes it feels like we do. He seems close and real during Sunday morning worship, but we lose Him in our weekday hustle and bustle.
We forget the wonder of His love and grace.
We forget His death. He died, so we might live. Yet I forget all about Him in my everyday rush. I lose touch with Jesus as I race to make it to an appointment on time, get dinner on the table a half an hour late, or when someone pulls out in front of me in 5 o’clock traffic.
A quiet voice breaks through my daily hurry with these words:
God has called us into fellowship with His Son. But I’m usually too busy rushing around.
How do we hold on to our Savior during our busy days? How do we live for Him, in Him, and by His power? How do we enjoy fellowship with Jesus?
We have to learn to seek and find Jesus in the ordinary.
Brother Lawrence, the inspiration for my favorite book, Practicing the Presence of God, said the key to finding God in the ordinary was to practice His presence: to continually lift our hearts to Him and maintain a running conversation with Him throughout the day.
I’m trying these simple ways to remember Jesus in the ordinary:
Remember He died for you and thank Him daily.
Each day, whisper a word of thanks to the Savior who died for you. Scripture reminds us: “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Yet recently I felt like I was taking Jesus’ death on the cross for granted. I spent a few minutes in my quiet time re-reading the story of the crucifixion. As I read through the details, a fresh sense of Jesus’ sacrificial love flooded my heart.
If you feel you’ve lost touch with the reality of His death for you, you can find that story here:
- Matthew 27
- Mark 15
- Luke 23
- John 19
Start and End Your Day with Jesus
Say good morning to your Savior as you wake up. Spend a few minutes praying or reading His Word, so you’re more apt to remember Him later. Make Jesus the last name you say as you go to bed at night. Thank Him for the grace that got you through the day.
Turn to Him Often Throughout the Day:
Slow down during a busy day to stop and say, “I love you, Lord.” Thank Him for His gifts and blessings when you notice them. Ask Jesus for help with each task. After you finish, thank Him and ask, “What next, Lord?”
Give Him Your Burdens.
Worried? Turn each anxious thought into a prayer. Upset? Tell Jesus all about it just like you would talk to your best friend. When I do this, I feel relief and enjoy more peace.
Friend, the best way I can enjoy Jesus is to remember He loves me. He loves you too. He loved us enough to die so we could live. Let’s remember we’re dearly cherished and loved as we go about our day. He has fresh grace for us right now. Let’s receive it.
Now it’s your turn: What helps you find Jesus in the ordinary?
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Dear Betsy, I think you and Sue Donaldson tag team this good word from the Lord this week. Perhaps He knew it was just the reminder I needed, especially as we approach the holiday season. Thank you for the specific ways we can stay in communion with Jesus. Prayers and blessings as you seek His face.
I’ll have to check out Sue’s post. Thanks for the heads up, Alice. I appreciate it.
YES!! Slow down and savor! Remembering what God has done for us helps build faith and connection with Him in our everyday! Blessings, friend! XO
Yes to more slowing down to savor. Blessings back at you!
I agree, it can be easy to forget in the midst of life’s busy pace. So important to find those moments that return our focus to God. Worship music is a great way of doing that for me in the middle of the day, especially listening to it while I am driving.
That’s a great reminder, Lesley. It helps me too. Lately I’ve been listening to a beautiful song from Bethel Worship: “I’m not a Victim.” SO GOOD! It sparks a personal revival in me.
Betsy,
I have to start the day with Jesus early in the morning. It sets the tone for my whole day. I have had to really concentrate on looking for reminders of God’s love for me throughout the day….maybe it’s someone holding a door for me when my arms are full, or the colorful leaves against the backdrop of a Carolina blue sky. Practicing His presence takes concentrated effort. Evidence of God’s love is all around me, I simply need to open my eyes and look around. There is ALWAYS something or someone to be thankful for.
Blessings,
Bev xx
I love those examples you give, Bev, especially the one about someone opening a door for you. I easily overlook details of love like that!
I’m slowly learning to whisper thank You prayers throughout my day to help focus my heart on Jesus all day instead of early morning and at bedtime only. So many good ideas here.
Yes to those “thank you”s. It’s such an easy way to pray, but I forget to do it!
The truth of the gospel impacts our lives on every level. Betsy, I always appreciate the hope the shimmers behind every post here. Blessings to you.
Thanks so much, Michele. Your encouragement means a lot to me.
So encouraging! Jesus understands our ordinary as much as He understands our busy. While we surely need to make that conscious effort continuously to focus on Him first, we can relax and rest in the knowledge that He’s always with us and forgives us when we forget. Great is His faithfulness!!
Yes, Melinda. It’s true He understands our busy. I love your encouragement to relax and rest in Him! So good!
I love your reminder to say “good morning” and “I love you” to Jesus before I rush into my work. And to do the same at night. Such a simple way to add peace to my day!
Yes, it is simple, but I often forget. Learning these things here. 🙂
Oh how I love Practicing the Presence of God. I’ve learned so much from that little book. I try to reread it every few years. Thanks for this list of tips to keep Jesus in our everyday!
It’s one of my favorites too. I have a more modern translation (I think Navpress) I got a few years ago and love it.
I do that, but less than I need to. Great reminder in the middle of my crazy week!
Thanks for reading. I’m honored.
Wonderful post, Betsy, to compliment my reading this morning. Earlier I read Deuteronomy 10 & verse 21 hit me. May we not miss seeing our God who does amazing things each day – and yes (!) – He does them in the midst of the ordinary.
In the middle of the ordinary. Yes He does, Joanne! Thank you for this.
Remembering His sacrifice – it is easy to let that slide to the backburner amid the week’s busyness, isn’t it? Good word, Betsy, one that has me thanking Him already this morning. xo
Yes, it is. I’m thanking Him all over again as I read your comment. What a Precious Savior we have.
I love this, Betsy. Especially the running conversation with God. But I need to be better/more intentional about the contents of that conversation. Making sure I am thanking Him throughout the day, and bringing needs (both mine and others) before Him.
Yes, I need to do that too, Dianne. But I do think He loves us hear our voices lifted up. Even when we’re not making much sense. (As I sometimes don’t!) I want to grow in thankfulness too. That’s an easy way to keep up the quality of our conversation. 🙂
Discovering His companionship in the dailyness of tasks and work and movement … this is part of my faith that has only increased with time. Maybe it’s because things are usually quiet and still and much of my time is in solitude in this season.
Thanks for this reminder to be aware, to choose to look for His lovely presence, no matter what our surroundings or schedules look like Betsy.
Bless you, girl …
You are so right about seasons, Linda. When we have a bit more solitude it’s easier to remember He’s with us, isn’t it? You inspire me, friend!
Betsy, I love the practical tips in “Turn to Him Often Throughout the Day.” It’s in the busy I can get forgetful. “What’s next, Jesus?” is a beautiful reminder to bring Him into every moment. Thank you!
Yes, I like that “What’s next?” question too. Reminds me who is in charge in my life. 🙂
What a beautiful reminder, dear friend! I am so thankful for his grace — that it is new every morning! 🙂
Oh yes, it is, Lauren. Thanks so much for reading today, friend. Blessings on your weekend.
Beautiful words with a practical touch, as always. My days are such a flurry of activity, it is easy for me to lose Jesus. These tips will help me find him again on the busiest of days!
Thank you, Christa. I’ll bet your days ARE a flurry of activity. I know few people who come up with as many creative ideas and put them to work as you do. Way to go!
Great tips to stay connected to Jesus throughout our busy days! I love your insights and the practicality of your approach. Thank you!
Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth.
Jesus doesn’t want just Feast Day meetings with us. He wants to meet us in the everyday ordinary! You speak to my heart! Love this message!
Thank you. May He draw you to Himself daily, friend!
Love Brother Lawrence’s book. Thanks for the reminder, Betsy, it’s hard when we get busy to forget about Jesus and what he has done for us.
I love that book too, Rachel. Such good encouragement. I have a great modern translation. I just picked it up to read again last week.