Refuel

I recently had a chance to read a book called Refuel: An Uncomplicated Guide to Connecting with God. One of my desires as a lay minister is to continue to pursue my relationship with God in a way that fuels me up for my ministry to my family and my ministry to youth leaders in San Jose. It no doubt has been a challenge. I feel determined to connect with God, so I start to intentionally read the bible, go to mass more regularly, and find some time in prayer. Sometimes it works. Other times it doesn't. When it doesn't work, do I feel bad? Well, maybe there is a little guilt, but I tried!

My problem was that I was making my prayer time too complicated. It became something I did to check off my list of things to do today as opposed to something I truly wanted to do. Refuel helped me look at it differently.

It's a simple formula: stop, be quiet, make a connection. That's it!

Stop: it doesn't take much. I don't need to stop for 30 minutes at a time. I am finding that a short minute of stopping what I am doing makes a big difference. I can do it when I get in my car before I turn it on and drive to where ever I'm going. In the middle of checking email when I find myself getting antsy. I just stop. And I try to stop a couple times a day.

Be quiet: silencing the world and the mind is hard. I have spiritual ADD when I am quiet. My mind can't seem to stop. So even if I am successful at turning off my phone, my email "ding," the iPod, and television, quietting the mind is a challenge. Quiet is key.

Make a connection: connect with God. It doesn't have to be a formal prayer where every word you say is articulate. Just connect with God. Say hello. Say thank you. Say a prayer that is weighing on your heart. Connecting can also be about listening. What is God saying to you in that moment? Listing to your heart. Connect.

That's it. Refuel gave me an easy formula to connect with God. I hope you consider taking a look at this book.

During this Lenten season, I plan to be intentional about connecting with God. In turn, I know that it will positively effect my relationships with family and friends, and my ministry. And that's what I want. To be the man of God He is calling me to be. I can only do that by connecting with God on a daily basis.