No matter how busy we are, being intentional with our time opens up opportunities for God to speak to us.
I love a good audiobook or podcast to keep me company while I drive or walk someplace—it keeps me occupied and helps me feel like I’m making good use of my time. But as I got into my car to make a thirty-minute trip a few weeks ago, I decided to drive in silence.
There were some big decisions weighing on my mind, so I wanted to take the opportunity to talk with God. I’m an easily distracted person, which makes it difficult to kneel down and have a meaningful prayer in the often short amounts of time I have in my schedule. But this new approach allowed me to slow down and commit my entire half-hour drive to a conversation with my Heavenly Father, and I received comfort and guidance. Thoughts and ideas of what I could do to improve my situation came to my mind, and feelings of peace assured me of the decision I came to as a result.
A few weeks later, I listened to Sister Shayla Bott’s BYU devotional, “‘Be Still and Know That I Am God’,” and I was surprised by how much I identified with her message. She recounts experiences similar to mine, such as choosing to walk without headphones in, and suggests that slowing down our bodies and minds allows us to slow down our spirits and open ourselves to hear God’s voice. It is not a bad thing to be busy—and it can feel unavoidable—but amid the noise of our mortal lives, we should not forget to dedicate time and attention to the one who lends us breath (see Mosiah 2:21).
While Heavenly Father already knows our hearts, actively sacrificing our time to communicate with him can help us stay focused on the covenant path back to him and to our Savior. Sister Bott states, “For God to change our lives, we need to change our availability to God.” When I made myself available to him for that car ride, I was blessed with the answers and reassurance I needed to make a difficult decision. More importantly, I felt connected to my Father.
As we make choices, however small, to dedicate time and energy to our relationship with the Lord, he will magnify our efforts to reach out and help us to feel a deeper connection with him.
Watch Sister Shayla Bott’s devotional address, “‘Be Still and Know That I Am God,’” to learn more about how slowing down can benefit us spiritually.
Source: BYU Speeches
—Alyssa Knutti, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY NATHAN MARCAM
Find more insights
Take a look at Chaning Cunningham’s Latter-day Saint Insights article, “Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice,” to learn more about how we can choose to prioritize God in our lives.
Read or watch Bishop L. Todd Budge’s general conference talk, “Seek Him with All Your Heart,” for examples of how Jesus Christ dedicated his time to God.