The very foundation of our lives is the spiritual connection we have with deity. From this connection we derive our sense of self, our strength, our purpose, as well as peace, joy, and love. We are not independent battery packs in this life, with only our own strength to rely on. No! We are connected to the true and living Son, whose power and sacrifice allows mercy and miracles to be possible daily. Grand spiritual experiences are not enough- a large jolt of power only lasts so long when our demand for spiritual strength and power is constant. Can we create reservoirs or generators? Absolutely. However, those still are only filled through tapping into our power source on a daily basis.
How do we connect daily to God? Literature on that very question has filled libraries, bookstores, and hearts all over the world for generations. So I can only offer my humble opinion that it is through the simple yet profound ways that a lasting connection is forged. Prayer. Daily, fervent conversations with a loving Father in heaven who knows and loves us. I love the explanation given in the Bible Dictionary that reads : " As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."
Scripture Study. Seeking, searching, and pondering the words of the scriptures is one way we receive personal revelation in response to our questions. Words of wisdom and guidance given to Joshua to be strong and courageous apply to all of us today. Counsel on how to grow faith given by Alma and Amulek to the Zoramites still is how we build faith in our generation. Not only does scripture study connect us to Heavenly Father, it connects us to generations of faith and perseverance.
Gratitude. Perhaps it's a small thing. Yet, with all the blessings and tender mercies from God, a thankful heart will bind us even closer to Him. President Uchtdorf so eloquently spoke on this subject this past April saying, "When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace. We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain? Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges. This is not a gratitude of the lips but of the soul. It is a gratitude that heals the heart and expands the mind."
In these and many other simple, yet profound ways we connect to our creator. As we do so, all our other connections are strengthened. Connecting to the light and life of the world brings balance, joy, and enlightenment in all other areas of our lives- financial, physical, relationships, etc. And then, as a great friend pointed out, as the other areas are balanced we have more time to continue to strengthen and renew the connection that ultimately matters the most.
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