Finding time for a devotional life in college may seem impossible. Who has time to spend on something ungraded? Assignment deadlines can sometimes, quite frankly, seem more pressing than spending time with the Lord.
The first and greatest commandment of the Bible — “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37) —seems, at first glance, to forget about those who are wading waist-deep in essays and group projects.
How can we stir our affections for God when we feel ourselves sinking in coursework? How can we cultivate a healthy spiritual life with so many time-sensitive demands on us?
Spiritual Disciplines Fuel Spiritual Growth
A consistent devotional life is one of the best means for spiritual nourishment amidst the busy seasons of life.
By devotions, spiritual disciplines, and time spent with God, I simply mean habits which deepen our relationship with God, such as:
- Bible reading
- Prayer
- Journaling
- Scripture memorization
These practices are an essential rhythm in the believer’s life, and it’s vital that we make time to prioritize them.
Motivations for Spiritual Disciplines
1. To Know God
The goal of spiritual disciplines is to know and enjoy God. Because of Jesus, we have the unbelievable privilege of communing with our Creator. Spiritual disciplines are more than merely a discipline; they are the means to the greatest end imaginable: fellowship with God.
2. To Live Obediently
A lifetime of obedience to God stems from the faith-growing disciplines of prayer and Scripture reading. An understanding of God’s Word guides us as we seek to live in light of the Gospel.
3. To Follow Christ’s Example.
During His time on Earth, Jesus had a deep prayer life. As His followers, we imitate His way of life. Consider this verse from Luke:
“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” — Luke 6:12
Christians imitate Jesus’ habit of spending time with God. Jesus’ prayer life reflects His intimate fellowship with the Father.
Developing the Desire
Perhaps the most common reason people don’t spend time with God is a lack of desire. The best place we can start in resolving this is with God Himself. Before attempting to meet with God regularly in devotions, ask Him through prayer to give you both the desire and discipline to meet with Him daily.
Prioritize Spending Time With the Lord
College and extracurricular activities wire our brain to do. As Christians, though, we must resist this temptation and simply be with God.
Set aside time every day to spend with God. I prefer the morning because I recognize my inability to slow down once my classes start. But that is only my preference. Choose what works for you!
Carefully guard this precious time once you establish it! Make every effort to prevent other commitments or tasks from interfering. (Bonus tip: Spending time with God before checking texts centers us on Him before the external pressures of our day begin to assail us.)
My devotional toolbox: my Bible, regular journal, prayer journal, pen, and highlighter.
After finding a time in the day to meet with God, make a general structure for that time. My typical routine is half of the time reading Scripture and half in prayer. Occasionally, I journal. The proportions may vary depending on the day!
If this is a new habit, start small! I recommend a seven-minute devotional time. Spend three minutes in the Bible and four minutes praying. Chances are that time will increase as you develop this habit.
If this is a journey you’ve never embarked on, take heart. This is a slow process. During my freshman fall, I seldom read my Bible or prayed. At first, my devotions were short and infrequent. Over my years here, the Lord has increased my desire to know and spend time with Him. Give yourself grace as you build this habit, but keep pressing forward.
Spiritual Growth Doesn’t Stop With Devotions
Although our daily time with God plays an essential role for deepening our relationship with Him, our personal worship is not limited to time in prayer or in the Word.
Through Christ, we can worship God through all that we do: classes, homework, exercise, meals, conversations, and other seemingly mundane parts of our daily routines.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” — Colossians 3:17
Also, prayer and Scripture meditation can continue even after the devotional time ends. A good phrase I use regarding prayer is, “Never hang up the phone.” In other words, we can maintain constant communication with God through prayer throughout the day (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17). This practice is not a burden but a privilege and a means of expressing our dependence on the Creator.
The Outcome of Spiritual Disciplines
As we commit to a faithful and consistent walk with the Lord, something beautiful begins to happen. The regular rhythm of spending time with God blossoms us into spiritual maturity. As we fix our eyes on Christ, God transforms us into His image.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18
Class: 2026
Major: History with a minor in Pre-MDiv
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, PA
Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:15 – “And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
Go-to Coffee Shop Drink: I don’t typically drink coffee! A strawberry-banana smoothie would have to be my answer.
Fun Fact or Interesting Hobby: I lived in the city as a young kid, grew up in the suburbs, and now live in the country.
Favorite Thing about being a Cedarville Student: My favorite thing about Cedarville is the genuine care that people here have for one another.
Posted in: College Life, Lifestyle, Well-Being