Growing our Relationship with God
In the episode "Holydays", I talk about a way to grow in our relationship with God. This method of looking at our Faith Life is just a way that I've discovered that works for me. It might not work for everybody. Also, be sure to remember that I am young, and not a clergyman. These are my amateur thoughts.
I like to resolve to do good works, such as prayer of acts of love to my neighbor (by loving our neighbor, we love God as well). By making resolutions, I make a firm commitment to at least try a new good work for a while and see if it is a good fit for my life. These resolutions are not permanent and can be removed if I find it too difficult; I can always try again later. If they are a good fit, I just keep doing it. One can use these questions to evaluate what they are doing in their lives to try to be close to God:
1. What good works have I resolved to do to be close to God? The good works can be anything from prayer to sacrifices to volunteering. As an example, let's suppose that somebody has resolved to read the Bible every day and park away from the building in parking lots.
2. Have I been consistent in fulfilling these resolutions? By consistent, I mean have I performed my good work as often as I resolved to do it? If the resolutions are not being fulfilled consistently, then it is important to ask why. If a resolution is too difficult for any reason, then it can be removed or reduced. In the case of our example, that would mean reading the Bible every day and parking in the inferior parking spots every time that person can. If this person doesn't park in the back of the parking lot every time, then they should ask why. Maybe they have knee trouble, so extra walking isn't good for them, and another good work would be better for them.
3. Am I comfortable with my resolutions or are they still challenging? This is best explained with our example. If the person parks in the front of the parking lot, realizes that they had resolved to park in the back of the parking lot, and then repark, then they are not comfortable with their resolutions. If they habitually park in the back of the parking lot and read the Bible every day, then they are comfortable with their resolutions, and a new resolution can be added. If not, that's OK, because it takes plenty of time to get into a habit.
4. What is a good work that I eventually want to incorporate into my life? This can be a big goal (like a daily Rosary or praying the Liturgy of the Hours), or a small goal (like going to Confession once a month). In the case of our example, this person eventually wants to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every day.
5. What small step can I take to get closer to, or reach, that goal when I am comfortable with my resolutions? In our example, the next step might be to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy once a week (on Fridays would probably be preferable). It is crucial that one is comfortable with their resolutions before they add another one. Trying to do too much can cause us to overload ourselves and dislike doing good works. God wants us to joyfully serve Him, so make sure that what you are doing is something that you enjoy doing for God.
And remember that rest is also important. These resolutions are not supposed to be burdens. A good resolution could be to take time every day and just do nothing. Spend time with God in silence. Do not think that your love for God is measured only by what you resolve to do. It really is not measured at all. If this method of making resolutions is burdening you and not bringing you closer to God, then stop using it, and ask God how you can get closer to Him. The only thing that is certain about everybody's relationship with God is that is needs to constantly be growing. Other than that, we are all different.
