Spring is a season of renewal – a time when we’re surrounded by new life in nature, and we feel inspired to bring new life to our own spaces. Many of us practice spring cleaning to refresh our homes, but what about our schedules? Just as clutter can accumulate in our physical environment, our time can become crowded with activities that drain our energy and distract us from pursuing God’s wonder. This March, let’s embrace a different kind of spring cleaning. Let’s make room in our schedules for experiencing God’s wonder every day.
Wonder is a gift from God that fuels our spiritual growth and deepens our joy. But if we’re not intentionally prioritizing wonder every day – if we let our lives shrink down to the level of our to-do lists – we can easily miss opportunities to be amazed by God. That’s why it’s essential to intentionally create space in our schedules for wonder.
Just as you declutter a closet by removing what you don’t need, you can declutter your schedule by eliminating activities that no longer serve your well-being and purpose. Here’s how:
Identify what drains you: Take an honest look at your weekly schedule. Which activities leave you feeling exhausted, uninspired, or disconnected from God? Are there commitments you’ve taken on out of obligation rather than joy? If something is draining rather than uplifting you, prayerfully consider whether you need to continue it. Reflect on how these activities affect your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. If an obligation is necessary but feels like a burden, ask the Holy Spirit to show you ways to make it more enjoyable or meaningful. Even something as necessary, yet boring, as doing laundry or putting away groceries can become opportunities to connect with God if you pray or listen to worship music while you’re working on those tasks.
Let go of what you don’t really need to do: You can make room in your schedule for what matters most by letting go of activities that are wasting your time. Are you filling your schedule with tasks that aren’t really necessary? Don’t be afraid to say “no” to a request that doesn’t line up with your priorities, and don’t hesitate to delegate responsibilities to others when possible. Think about how you can replace time spent scrolling social media or watching TV with something that helps you connect more with God. Take an inventory of your daily and weekly routines and consider what you can streamline or eliminate. Establish boundaries around your time by setting limits on unproductive activities, and be intentional about saying “yes” only to commitments that bring a good amount of value to your life and spiritual journey.
Prioritize what inspires you: Make a list of activities that fill you with awe. That list may include enjoying a wonder walk in nature, worshiping through music, or doing something creative where you sense God inspiring you. Schedule time every day to enjoy these activities, just as you would any other important commitment. When you intentionally set aside time for awe-inspiring experiences, you create a rhythm of renewal in your life. Incorporate these experiences into your daily routine, such as including worship music in your morning prayer time or setting aside one evening a week for a nature walk. Don’t let activities that bring you wonder get pushed aside by busyness. If something urgent comes up that makes it necessary to change your plans, be sure to reschedule your wonder activity for another time as soon as you can.
Enjoy daily encounters with God’s wonder: You don’t have to wait for a dramatic experience to be amazed by God. He is always with you. If you seek him, you can notice God’s presence with you every day. Listen to a child’s laughter. Watch the sunrise and thank God for his mercies that are new every morning. Practicing mindfulness can also help you notice and appreciate God’s presence with you. Set reminders throughout your day to pause, take a deep breath, and reflect on God’s presence in your life. By making this a daily habit, you can develop an ongoing sense of awe and gratitude that helps you connect with God.
Enjoy time in nature: One of the best ways to experience God’s wonder is by spending time in God’s creation. Nature reveals God’s glory in countless ways, from the sky’s vastness to the intricate details of a flower. Make it a habit to step outside regularly and look for the wonder around you. Pray, reflect, and soak in the beauty of God’s creation. Let the rhythms of nature – such as the changing seasons, the rising and setting sun, and the movement of the wind – remind you that God is continuing to work in dynamic ways in your life.
When you declutter your schedule, you’ll find a new sense of freedom. Without the burden of unnecessary activities, you’ll have more energy and space to pursue what truly matters – growing in your relationship with God by connecting with him through wonder. So, this spring, clean out the clutter from your schedule and make room for wonder. As you intentionally look for wonder, you’ll find it all around you!
Read my latest Crosswalk.com articles and devotionals.
Learn more about experiencing God’s wonder in Wake Up to Wonder (order the paperback or the e-book) and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year (order the paperback or the e-book).
Blessings,
Whitney