A lot can happen in a minute.

If your faith feels a little faded today, try one of these quick fixes and reconnect with God.

1.  See the sky

If you’ve been cooped up inside all day, give yourself a glimpse at the sky.  Feel the wind on your face. Remember that the Holy Spirit is present.

2.  Give yourself a temporary tattoo

Really!  Take a pen and make the tiny sign of a cross or fish (ichthus) on your hand.
Every time you look at it today, you’ll remember Jesus.

3.  Remember your baptism

Use the drinking fountain or a sink.  Just wet your fingers and then make the sign of the cross on your forehead. You are blessed and made clean by God!

4.  Go Green

 A potted plant, the tree outside the window, a flower, a weed — it doesn’t much matter. Being in the presence of life like this points you towards the one who gives it.

5. Laugh.

 Make a joke, watch a Youtube video, remember your favorite episode of Seinfeld.
Every time you laugh your body, mind, and soul get a little healthier.

6.  Do this quick guided imagery

Take 3 deep breaths.  Close your eyes and picture the following, using your imagination to add detail: You are in a giant hall.  God is there, with you.  In front of you is an ornate chest. You hear God’s voice telling you that there’s something specifically for you, today, inside the chest. Open it.  What do you see?

7.  Donate for free with the click of a mouse. 

Visit thenonprofits.com and with the click of a mouse, you can help
support veterans, rainforests, orphaned animals, and much more.  See for yourself!

 8. Invite someone to church

What?  In a minute?  Why not!
We spend more time fretting about inviting people than it takes to actually do it.
Ask a co-worker. Send someone an email.  You’ll feel good to have reached out.

9. Strive for silence

Take a minute and simply be in the presence of God.  What the heck.  Take two.

10.  Look at your hand

Look at the lines on your palm.  Your fingerprints.  The color of your skin.
You are a unique being, and you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

11.  Pray for someone in particular

It could be anyone.  It could even be yourself.  The person you pray for doesn’t have to be sick, even. But for one concentrated minute, you are channeling your spiritual energy in praying God’s blessing upon them.

12.  Memorize a Bible verse

In one minute, you can commit a simple Bible verse to memory.
Visit http://ministry-to-children.com/easy-bible-verses/ and you’ll find 10 simplified verses you can pick up easily.

13. Tell someone “I love you”

Who do you need say those 3 magic words to today?  Giving love to someone else helps you to feel it too.

14. Light a candle

There’s nothing like a simple flame to point us to the presence of the Holy Spirit.

15.  Remember your communion

We have the opportunity to take communion all the time — but not necessarily right this moment. So take a moment and remember the bread and the cup, and what they mean for you and your life. The love of Christ is still nourishing you — even now.

 16.  Pet your pet or kid with your kid

The innocence of animals and children is like a giant arrow pointing towards God.
Call up a few fond memories and smile in God’s direction.

17.  Draw Creation

I’ll bet you can draw the story of creation in one minute.  No time for perfection here–just sketch it out fast: The Sun and the stars.  The sky and the water and the land.  The birds and the fishes and the animals and the humans. Remind yourself of the grandness of God’s gifts. And don’t forget to put God’s pronouncement on there somewhere:  IT WAS VERY GOOD.

18.  Confess

You don’t have to carry guilt around a minute longer.
Don’t beat around the bush — just lay it out there for God to take from you, and ask for forgiveness. And then, read this: “Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.  That proves God’s love for us. In the name of Jesus Christ, You are forgiven!”

19.  Hum Amazing Grace

Or sing it, if you’re where you can.  Think of how many millions of believers had sung these same words and felt the same Grace. You are not alone.

20.  Listen to the World.

The world can be a noisy place, and we tend to block out a lot of ambient noise.
Take a minute, though, and really listen:  The car driving by, the hum of the refrigerator, distant footsteps. You are called to be part of life’s symphony.

21.  Picture God’s arms around you

I frequently share this idea in situations where people are feeling pain or loss,
but really, when wouldn’t God be holding you?  It’s not just an idea…it’s really true.

22.  Recite the Lord’s prayer

This prayer is designed to align us with God’s Kingdom.
Pray it with the confidence and hope of a believer. The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever.

Amen.

23.  put on the armor of God

You are a member of the Body of Christ, and an ambassador of the Kingdom of God.  That means you are connected with the powerful Love of God and even able to use it in your life.  When conflict, abuse, or trials come, don’t forget that.

24.  Put a problem in your God box.

My wife does this, and swears it helps.  It’s based on some writings from Anne Lamott.  If there are problems you just can’t face, put them in your God box, and remind yourself you don’t have to be in control of everything.

25.  Recite the story of the Good Samaritan

This is one of those parables many Christians know by heart.
Take 60 seconds and tell yourself the story again.
By the time you’re done you may remember the great commandments: To love God, neighbor, and self.

There you have it!

It’s as if Jesus himself had walked up behind you, tapped on your shoulder, and asked:

“Got a minute?”

Have a good week,

Mitch

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Mitch posts 3 devotions a week — new and gently used. 🙂