8 Spiritual Life Hacks
And a few things you'll learn about me from my search history...
I imagine you could learn a lot about a person by their internet search history. Here are some things you might learn from mine:
I’m competitive.
I was sure it was Isaiah when I was trying to cheat help my daughter win a contest at our youth weekend this past Saturday. I was forced to fact-check my own son (the youth pastor) when he declared it was, in fact, Ezekiel, while my daughter shot me a dirty look for steering her wrong. As Droopy (from my childhood Saturday morning cartoons) used to say, “Cheaters never win.”
I’m ADHD.
This is a constant Google search. I’m not even organized enough to just keep it on my favorites bar.
Nothing.
Well, there are two tidbits you’ll learn about me from this screenshot: My son was using my laptop because I don’t stay up until 11:30 p.m., and I don’t work out.
I’m a writer/podcaster.
I’m not trying to cheat death or live 80 more years—I’m actually excited about the “no more tears” part of my upcoming eternity with Jesus. However, I’ve been researching for an upcoming podcast episode on the benefits of practicing Sabbath (check it out on March 18).
I like a good “hack.”
This is perhaps more telling about me than the fact that I was willing to cheat at a church event. Y’all, I’m addicted to Starbucks lattes. Not even the sugary, unhealthy ones. My order is a venti decaf hot latte made with oat milk (an order my daughter has deemed “extra”). And it’s a habit I can’t afford. So I was searching for a hack to feed my need for creamy, decaf, frothy goodness without spending $6 a day. (It adds up. Ask my budget.)
Hacks can be super helpful. Today, I’m sharing some spiritual life hacks I have found and am incorporating that might help you as well.
These hacks are not meant to rush a spiritual practice that needs time and discipline to flourish, but rather ways to make the most of my time with Jesus, grow closer to Him, and love others more deeply. And maybe it will save you a Google search or two in the process:
1) I don’t play catch-up in my “Read through the Bible in a Year” plan.
I know, it seems sacrilegious. But here’s the thing: Jesus never said you had to read the whole thing in a year for it to “count.” The best advice I ever got was from my oldest son. He encouraged me when I would miss a day (or three), to just start with the reading for that particular day. Any time we can take the legalism out of a man-made spiritual practice, the devil goes on a pouting spree (win-win). He wants us to make it about condemnation for failing rather than understanding God’s good news. So give yourself grace and move on.
2) I pray immediately when someone asks for it.
Whether it’s in an email, a text, in person, or on a post—why wait? We all know I have ADHD (check out this episode on that!), and I don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to join in what God is doing in someone’s life simply because I forgot. Plus, I want that person to know I value them and the chance to lift them to the Father.
3) I turn my phone display to black and white.
Why, you ask? Research shows “that having a smartphone screen in grayscale for a week or longer results in significantly less screen time, reducing usage by 22 to 50 minutes per day.” [1] I’m working hard at spending less time with my smartphone and more time with my people and Jesus. Find the instructions here. This leads to my next hack…
4) I sleep with my phone in another room.
It’s close enough that I can hear it ring if one of my kids calls in the night, but I’m tired of staying on it late for mindless scrolling that robs me of sleep and clarity. Jesus has called me to be alert. A good night’s sleep helps with that. And I try not to access my phone until I’ve spent time with Jesus.
5) I listen to more audiobooks.
I love a real book with pages to turn and sections to highlight. But I’m learning to choose audiobooks over never getting around to reading at all. I spend a lot of time listening in the car or the kitchen; I can always buy the book later if I want to mark it up.
6) I set a timer to reconnect with God throughout the day.
I know, I should just remember and desire to connect with Him. But can we refer back to my ADHD here? And the technological age that keeps us moving at an unhealthy pace? This keeps me grounded as I turn my attention back to God in prayer, thankfulness, or meditating on His Word for a few moments.
7) I practice Sabbath.
Whether you’re in the “damned if you don’t” crowd or the “Jesus is our Sabbath” troop, there is something powerful about taking an entire afternoon to rest—spiritually, physically, digitally, and socially. I am more connected to people and Jesus as a result and even more productive during the week. More on this in episode #93 next week. Want to make sure you don’t miss it? Click on one of these links to follow the show now…
8) Exercising—how does this help me spiritually?
I am embodied (so are you). My spirit, soul, mind, and body are all connected, and when one is “off,” it impacts the others. I’m learning to do what my body and spirit need (walking or using the elliptical on colder days) despite what my will wants (to sit on the couch and eat bonbons). But seriously, I don’t even know what a bonbon is. Still, I can usually come up with a thousand other things to do when I want to talk myself out of this practice. I’m letting Jesus speak louder.
What are some spiritual life hacks you incorporate to keep you close to Jesus and others?
I’d love to hear them! Respond below! And make sure to check out the continuation of the UnPerfect Podcast series on Forgiveness. Teresa Whiting has a lot to share about the actual process of forgiveness in today’s episode. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of mercy, justice, and trust in relation to forgiveness!
Want to give a one-time gift to support the UnPerfect Ministry? Click below:
[1] See the study about grayscale here.
[2] iPhone image credit: Image by Martin from Pixabay
[3] Woman reading image credit: Image by go_see from Pixabay
Well done Shelly, Matthew 25:23, let it be so!!!!!!!