The coronavirus pandemic has brought about lockdowns, social distancing, self-isolations, forced quarantines which have reorganized our lifestyles. In the early days of this global self-exiling, it probably felt like a good opportunity to have some “me time”. However, as the duration stretches on, you might have started wondering how long you would possibly survive your own company in a closed-in status. One way to keep you from feeling overwhelmed with your own company is to become connected with God. You probably tried to do it as you have always done, perhaps by giving a specific time to God; but now, you realize this specific time has suddenly become very long, and you are beginning to run short on the things you want to tell or do with God.
Isolation
Being in isolation means you have a lot more time on your hands; yes, maybe. However, Wisdom demands that you make good use of this freely given “me-time” for your own good and for the good of another (yes, even in isolation, you should be a blessing to someone somewhere). Communal prayer has become modified, and pastoral support seems to have diminished. If you have never attended an online Holy Mass and have never contemplated spiritual communion, you will feel rather lost in these moments when physical access to church services is at a minimal. If you have, you know it calls for self-discipline and a well-focused mind for you to experience the Connection in the Holy Mass.
The good news is that God did not create us all to worship Him in the same way. Just as we are different in our physical appearance, so are we diverse in our spiritual giftedness, and therefore, in the way, we get to connect with God. This in itself is a beautiful thing. As St. Paul says, we are one Body, but many parts (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). We, therefore, have lots of great ways by which we connect with the One True God, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is an opportune time to figure out how to remain personally connected with God on a daily basis without getting to the point of routine. This is the time to revitalize your spiritual life by looking for different ways to connect with God; ways that are true to who God created you to be.
Do You Know Your Spiritual Personality?
You know that you are God’s masterpiece, right? You also know that you were uniquely and creatively made in his image and after his very likeness (cf. Genesis 1:26-27). You are therefore wonderfully and fearfully made (cf. Psalm 139:14), to carry the image of Him who created you from the womb to the tomb. Your creator, God intimately knows you (cf. Matthew 10:30), and you belong to Him (1 John 4:4). The Lord God delights in you when you worship Him just as you are. But if you are still not so sure where you are at in understanding this, you may want to start by inviting God to search you and know your heart; to help you examine your inner life and purge all that hinders your walking in the way everlasting (cf. Psalm 119:23-24).
This is not about earning God’s favour; the Lord Jesus already did that for you! This is not about God being more impressed or more pleased with your efforts. God sees your hard work when no one else sees it; so, you do not need to prove it. This is about getting your heart to be right with God since God is always after the heart. It is about not mimicking someone else’s spiritual walk. It is about you discovering the way God created you, to connect with Him!
Consider the personalities below and see which one resonates with you. Maybe you will have different experiences each moment, which should serve you excellently in your quest to remain connected. Maybe you will choose to grow spiritually with just one personality type; that is equally great. I hope you enjoy whichever path you find yourself walking; but first, what is your worship personality?
- The Naturalist Loves God Outdoors
The naturalist wants to connect with nature and to love God in nature. Therefore, you may consider going for a prayer walk around your neighbourhood, as you pray for each neighbour individually (by name). You could read the Bible outside (in the garden, while sitting at the balcony, etc), and memorize Bible verses that tell of nature declaring the glory of God (cf. Psalm 19, Psalm 29, Job 38-41). You could worship God while watching a sunrise (or sunset), and delight in His artistic expression while you praise Him with each changing colour of the skies. You may pick up poetry (existing or written by you) about how God reveals Himself in nature, and reflect on what you learn about God from these poems and how you can respond to Him.
You could go out, lay down in the grass, and look at the clouds. See these as the dust of God’s feet (cf. Nahum 1:3). As they float about in the sky, think about where God is moving and what He is doing in the world and in your life. You may sing songs about God and nature. Try meditating on God’s majesty when you go hiking. Allow yourself to be inspired by what you see in the skies, the trees, the rocks, the waters. Think about how these praise God
- The Sensate Loves God With the Senses
As a sensate, you love perceiving by the senses. You like to live in the present, being aware of your surroundings. You are keen on noticing details. Therefore, get your connection through listening to worship music from different countries and enjoy a foretaste of heaven. You will be praising God with brethren from every tribe and every tongue (cf. Revelation 7:9). You could make up your own music from your favourite Scripture, and sing it out loud. Maybe lighting a candle during your devotions or using incense to engage your sense of smell in the act of worship will stir you on. Allow yourself to be absorbed in worship-producing art. Try to meditate on God’s Truth as revealed in sacred art (paintings, sculptures, film, music, dance, etc). Make your own art an act of worship of God.
If you play an instrument, have a private time of worship by playing for God as your audience. Use your sense of balance by praying in various positions: stand, sit, kneel, dance, prostrate (lay face-down), raise your hands, look heavenwards, or simply walk. Use your taste sensations; have a snack-date with God (make the snack, and share it with Him!). Use your imagination as you read the Bible; create the scenery. Listen to the birds, feel the warmth of the sun on your face, taste the roasted fish, hear the roaring thunder, smell the smoke, be one of the characters in the passage, roleplay…. (live lectio divina!).
- The Traditionalist loves God through rituals and symbols.
The traditionalist advocates the upholding or maintenance of tradition and tends to resist change. Therefore, you may want to read scripture out loud to yourself and discover the power of the Word read out loud (cf. Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Timothy 4:13). Apply the use of a guide-book for your prayers; you might just learn how to pray…deeper, effectively. You may want to have a fixed date with God, where you meet with Him at the same time and place every day (do you have a prayer altar at home?). It might help you understand the traditions better if you study the history of the church and learn how God has been working throughout the ages.
Also, reading the Bible chronologically to gain a new understanding of how the events in the Bible fit together will help your perception of the rituals. You could adopt the shorter route and join an online Bible reading plan with a trusted Bible Study group. Perhaps you could celebrate significant days in the church calendar, and be investigative in your approach to practicing the associated rituals. It might be useful to practice “prayer breaks” throughout the day by pausing for a few moments of prayer every hour or so. Take to studying the Creed and other set prayers as opposed to just reciting them, and reflect on how God reveals Himself to us (cf. Living the Common Prayers) through them.
- The Ascetic loves God in Solitude and Simplicity
The ascetic practices severe self-discipline and refraining from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. Therefore, you may want to cultivate the habit of rising up early in the morning for prayer in the stillness of night (cf. Mark 1:35). You will need to create daily rhythms that centre your heart on Jesus. You may begin each day by making the morning offering as soon as you open your eyes (cf. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/morning-offering-394); or recite a specific passage each day as you dress; or read from a devotional book at every break you have in the course of the day.
You may want to practice silence by not speaking, and also silencing the soundtrack in your busy mind. Fasting from food and using meal times to pray may be the thing for you. Cleaning out your closet and donating items to a charitable/relief organization might bring you interior peace. Practice cleaning out your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sins that you are harbouring in your heart and repent of them. Get rid of any unforgiveness, past hurts, guilts, shames, etc.
Practice solitude on a regular basis; get away from people, phones, social media, tv, and chores for a quiet respite. Seek to “be still and know that [He is] God” (cf. Psalm 46:10). Give away the surplus that you have. Perhaps spending time on a night watch by staying up a portion (or all) of the night to focus on prayer, repentance, thanksgiving, and listening to God (cf. Luke 6:12) works well with you. Read about the life of other ascetics.
