5 Ways to Keep God at the Center of Busy Seasons

keep God at the center

keep God at the centerThe kids are back in school, sports are in full swing, and autumn is right around the corner! Just like that, the relaxed mentality of summer is thrown out the window and replaced with an activity-filled agenda.

As much as we love the cooler days, football-filled nights, and everything flannel and pumpkin, we know this is a crazy and busy season. We know this because we are right there with you! That is why today’s blog post is regarding our favorite ways we set aside time for rest, fellowship, and communion with God in our busiest of seasons.

5 Ways to Keep God at the Center of Busy Seasons:
1) Family Prayer Before Meals

Growing up, my brother and I would have completely different schedules. Dance and volleyball this night, football and band that night. As chaotic as our days were, my parents made it known that we would eat supper together as a family and say a prayer before each meal. Dinner prayers are a simple and easy way to bring your family together, give thanks, and reflect on all that God has done throughout the day.

2) Listen to a Christian Podcast:

Listening to a Christian Podcast while running errands, going for a walk, or cleaning the house is an easy and effective way to grow in your faith and keep a grace-based mindset. Some of our favorites include:

3) Ignite Intention Calendar:

Here at Ignite, one of our favorite ways to keep Jesus at the center of each week is by filling out our Ignite Intention Calendar. There are so many incredible features within our Intention calendar that allow you to read scripture, plan time with your family, and create a life of intention.

4) Worship Music:

Worship music is one of the easiest ways to put yourself in a good mood and find peace amid every activity and event. There are so many uplifting and encouraging Christian songs on the radio that you are sure to find a new favorite.

5) Sabbath:

Exodus 20:8-10 reads, Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. The most important thing you can do on any busy week is take time to rest and recharge as a family. You are called to live a life of purpose, but don’t forget to take time and just be.

Week 3: Saturday “Let’s Talk Intentionality”

Let’s Talk: Intentionality

This week Shelly and the Ignite team dive into the root of living an intentional lifestyle. We will refresh, remodel, refine, recharge and refocus aspects of our lives. So get ready to think deeply about what you consume, evaluate whether your habits are truly serving you, and determine whether your friendships are challenging you to be the best version of yourself!

Question: What did you relate to the most in this video or what was your favorite part?

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Week 3: Friday Check-in

How is Week Three going?

Drop any comments, experiences, or questions you may have about the overall week; daily topics; journal stories; Bible verses; or intentionality as a whole. We would love to answer them for you! If you don’t feel comfortable commenting, send us a DM and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Great work, we are SO proud of you!
 
Question: How are you doing? What have been LOVING this week? What areas are you struggling in? How has God been working in your life?
 

Week 3: Friday Verse

So, what does Ephesians 5:15-16 mean?

Paul uses the theme of walking six other times in the Book of Ephesians. In a literal sense, walking means moving your legs to get from point A to point B. The ‘walking’ that Paul is referring to means abiding or remaining in Jesus. It refers to how one lives their life. Let us each “walk” as we ought to in Christ, coordinating the deeds of our life in harmony with God’s will. Ephesians 5:15-16
 

Question: What is your favorite way to walk with God (Praying, journaling, sermons, etc.)?

 

Week 3: Thursday Verse

So, what does Matthew 11:28 mean?

Although this gracious invitation to ‘come’ in the Book of Matthew is offered to all people, it was initially given by Jesus to Israel. Jesus reached a point in His ministry when He switched His attention from the nation as a whole, to individuals who believed in Him. In this verse, Jesus was inviting the individual believers who were labored and heavy laden to come to Him for rest (Knowing Jesus). Matthew 11:28 
 
 Question: Who or what do you turn to when you are stressed or needing rest?

Week 3: Wednesday To-Do List

The Christian To-Do List

Some weeks, the only things that keep me sane are my calendar and to-do list. Can you relate? I have said it before, and I will say it again. I am a planner, a box checker, and a recovering perfectionist. That is how I roll.

The other day was a first for me. I looked at my jam-packed planner and immediately had a sense of guilt rush through me. Should I have this much control over my life? Am I crazy for having every hour planned out? Is this healthy? Am I too intentional right now?

I quickly stopped my spiral of thoughts, took a step back, and looked at my list. My top priorities for the day were things I felt I had to do in order to get ahead or have a successful day:

  1. Go to the bank
  2. Send emails
  3. Create a spreadsheet
  4. Workout
  5. Run errands
Priorities

The more I thought about my “top” priorities, the more I began to realize how backward my priorities were… then came the second wave of guilt. I realized that I had been preaching and encouraging people to walk in faith and to spend time with Jesus daily, but here I was prioritizing my earthly needs over my spiritual needs.

Yes, bills need to be paid, and errands need to be ran, but we can’t forget that reading our Bible, praying, and spending time with God is a priority as well. So, I am here to tell you (and myself) that it is okay to have a to-do list, but we need to be intentional in creating time to grow in our faith as well.

Don’t be scared to re-prioritize your to-do list or make time in your schedule to dig into the Word. Creating time to grow in your faith is not selfish, it’s healthy and it will bless you in more ways than you can count.

Todays To-Do List

  • PRIORITIZE YOUR DAY: Matthew 6:33 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
  • SPEND TIME WITH JESUS: Psalm 27:8 – My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
  • READ MY BIBLE: Romans 10: 17 – Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
  • GIVE THANKS: Psalm 136:1 – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
  • LET CHRIST LEAD ME: Matthew 11:29 – Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
  • PRAY: Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
  • TRUST IN GOD: Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
  • FORGIVE OTHERS: Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
  • SING: Psalm 98:4 – Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.
  • DANCE: Psalm 149:3 – Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.

Week 3: Wednesday Verse

So, what does 1 Corinthians 15:33 mean?

Paul wrote at least four different letters to the church at Corinth, three of which are included in the New Testament. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote of the false teachers who had come into the church at Corinth teaching that the resurrection of Jesus Christ wasn’t true. In a sense, Paul states that Christians must let the Word of God shape their thinking, not the evil company of this world. 
 
Question: This verse is simple, yet so powerful! Explain what this verse means to you or a time you lived out this verse?
 

Week 3: Tuesday Quote

So, who is Ben Stuart?

Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church, Washington D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. Ben earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime (Passion City Church).

Question: On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you LOVE this quote? What does it mean to you?

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