I needed this post today. I haven’t been terribly busy (no more than normal), but I have been fighting a virus, which for some reason always makes it harder for me to pray. It’s like a fog fills my brain, lulling it to sleep. I know God is always with me, even when I don’t feel Him or hear Him, but oh how I miss the feeling of intimacy that comes from connecting with God one-on-one. Sometimes I take God’s presence–His close friendship–for granted. Perhaps these temporary mental fogs are beneficial since they remind me what a treasure a close relationship with God is.

Today’s post comes from a friend and fellow writer, Jan Cox, founder of A Better Way.

Inspired after reading Mary Weaver’s book, ‘Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World’, Jan decided to create ‘A Better Way’, using both her talents as a writer and an artist.

Connected by Jan Cox

“My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you”  (John 18:36 The Message).

When we arrived at our winter residence, I expected to pick up where I had left off last April. As I had hoped the water ran, the hydro and phone worked. Wonderful! But when I plugged in my computer … no Internet.

The Internet is my connection with family and friends, downloading recipes, asking how to’s, and finding out the weather here and back home. We also watch movies and the news. So I felt … STRANDED. I felt unhooked.

Good news. The Internet provider, after a phone call, resolved the problem. We are now rewired to the world.

The same thing happened to my godly connection – my morning devotional and meditation. My morning time is so vital for me. We have been travelling for four days and although I prayed, read and studied, my godly connection was missing.

This morning – I reconnected.  Blissful. Peaceful. Inspiring. Revitalizing.

I think about our ‘busy’ lives and know that our quiet time with God gets left out. But I believe it is the MOST important part of our day. To be wired to God. How else can we live the life He wants? Without His godly spirit flowing through us, how can we deal with our daily lives?

I felt I needed the Internet to stay connected but I needed God even more. He also answers my questions, speaks to my family and friends and gives me insights and knowledge.

When I get frustrated with my life – He is the answer.

When I get hurt – He is the answer.

At all times – He is the answer.

“The great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is the conception of practical work that has not come from the New Testament, but from the Systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted upon, but no private life with God”. Oswald Chambers.

I plan to stay connected with God. I want to put my emphasis on the right thing. Do you?

Prayer:

Help us, Father, to make the time to have a private life with You. Help us to connect. And as we have this time remind us to listen to You. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

***Remember, if you loved today’s post, FB share it, leave a comment, “like” it, or tweet it. At the end of the month, I’ll tally each share, like, tweet, and comment and will announce our top three blog posts of 2011.

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan is working on a couple children’s books in which she is also the watercolour illustrator.

She has published devotionals and articles. Her Bible Study based on Ed Hird’s book, ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’, is available for a free download at http://spiritfilledcanada.wordpress.com.