“…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness…” (2 Peter 1:5-8).

In the past few devotionals, we’ve been talking about spiritual disciplines, and what to do when you feel as if you’re in a bit of a rut.

As a reminder, we’ve talked about the relationship between drawing closer to God and joy. We’ve also talked about tweaking some of your existing practices. 

Today’s suggestion is to try something radical. That’s right, radical. 

We know that we’re supposed to be “like Jesus” (see 1 John 2:6). And he was radical, right? Well, what if we tried something radical when it comes to our devotional practices?

Here are a few ideas just to get you thinking.

What if you observed the “night watch” like a monk? Perhaps for a few days next week, what if you set your alarm for 3:00 a.m. and spent some time reading Scripture, praying, singing a few hymns or praise songs, and waiting in silence for the return of Jesus?

Or what if you memorized the entire Sermon on the Mount? You’re right, it would be a big project. But over time, you could do it. Can you imagine how renewing it would be to have those words permanently in your mind?

A third idea could be fasting. What if you fasted for 24 hours, giving extra intensity to your prayers? (If this is new to you, do some research and ensure you are healthy enough to do so.)

I’m not saying that we have to do these things. You don’t. However, if you feel stuck, it might be helpful to think bigger, not smaller.

I’m sure many of you are doing well. You’re praying, reading your Bibles, and living each day as the hands and feet of Christ. That’s incredible. 

But when you need a change, and when you feel that you want to draw closer to God with a new practice, perhaps trying something radical is just the unexpected thing you need.

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Notes:

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.