BY NYASHA RUSHWAYA
Every time a year passes you need to know that you are inching closer to your own grave and you have to be reminded to redefine the purpose of your existence.
A new year gives you an opportunity to review your life for everyone should come up with a vision for his or her own life, your family, your business, your spiritual life.
It is essential that we prioritize God in our relationships, no matter the connection, He should be placed before all in our lives and His word can help guide us on how to love and respect others through His guidance.
Many of us have probably heard abut the importance of having a strong relationship with God. When our hearts are focused on God and our relationship with Him is right, this will overflow into other relationships with family members, friends , acquaintances , co-workers , classmates and significant others .
If you are looking forward this year to strengthen your relationship with God and uncover your spiritual gifts they are certain things that you need to do . Firstly, humble yourself and pray. Prayer is more than reciting words. It’s a chance for you to have a conversation with God, you can pray at any time throughout the day , but you may want to consider starting your day with a prayer.
Secondly read and study your Bible. There is more on how to live your life within the pages than you may realize. The bible is full of lessons. The more you mature in God’s word the less you will allow external factors to cause you to falter. If you can, try and delve deeply into a particular book in the Bible. This will also make things clearer on how truth applies to your life.
Thirdly try and join a group of like-minded believers. The fellowship is important, not only for your sense of belonging and acceptance but also for your spiritual growth. there is a saying that you become like the five people you choose to hang around with therefore choose people who are strong in their relationship with God and who can help your spirit to grow.
The other thing is to do for others. That includes caring and serving others , it is what Jesus did too while he was here on earth as an example of how God wants us to live. Will people hurt and betray us?….yes … they hurt and betrayed Jesus too .
Lastly seek out your spiritual gifts. Everyone has been given discernment, wisdom, faith, knowledge and the fruits of the spirit, that is love, joy, peace , longsuffering, kindness, goodness and fruitfulness. Some of the gifts have to do with your calling and you have the ability to strengthen these skills with certain activities. if you are aware of the spiritual gifts that God has given you, you can focus on aligning those with your purpose and serving others as a means of strengthening your relationship with God.
Developing a relationship with God is a process. It will not happen all at once and sometimes you will think your relationship with Him is strong one day and the next day you may wonder if He is even there, but that’s part of the journey.
Like any relationship, a relationship with God is complex you will learn more about Him and encounter Him in deeper ways in each season . As you draw closer to Him. He will reveal more of Himself to you and teach you more of Himself to you.
