How Do We Spend Time with God
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the importance of spending time with God as being the source of strength, love, and spiritual purity. He explains that a person cannot live a sound spiritual life away from God, because the relationship with God grants the heart peace and fulfillment and helps a person face the troubles and temptations of life.
The Main Idea
The teaching focuses on the fact that life with God is not merely a duty or a formal practice, but rather a true relationship of love in which a person feels his constant need for God as a Father, Friend, Lord, and Support. And whenever a person draws near to God, his spiritual, intellectual, and social level rises, and he grows in virtue and purity.
Ways of Spending Time with God
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that there are many ways through which a person can spend holy time with God, such as:
- Prayer in its different forms.
- Reading the Holy Bible, spiritual books, and the lives of the saints.
- Spiritual contemplation and self-accountability.
- Memorizing verses, psalms, hymns, and praises.
- Participating in service and loving others.
- Using hobbies in a spiritual way that glorifies God.
The Spiritual Dimension
The teaching points out that spiritual thought purifies the mind and heart and fights evil thoughts, because when a person fills his mind with the Word of God, his thoughts, dreams, and view of life become holy and filled with peace. It also encourages forming spiritual friendships and using free time for growth with God.
The Spiritual Message
Time with God is life, fulfillment, and inner joy, and not merely an external obligation. A person is called to feel the delight of the spiritual life and to make his relationship with God a true relationship of love that fills both the heart and the mind.
“For better translation support, please contact the center.”
