As the seasons of life change, do you find that your devotional plans no longer fit?
I remember when I was in seminary, I felt on top of the world. My mind was quick and sharp. My control over my schedule and environment provided me with the energy I needed.
Then God, in His grace, gave me a taste of a different reality. Over the last several years, my energy levels have dropped significantly, my stress levels have increased exponentially, and my brainpower can be best described as “mom-brain.”
Devotional practices that used to come natural ease became an exhausting effort of futility. No matter how much will-power I applied, I could NOT make my brain function with its previous sharpness. I could not longer control how much sleep I got and the mounting demands of life left me exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The idea for this devotional system took root when God gave me children that didn’t sleep, and culminated in the midst of a high-grief season.
My dear pastor’s wife took me out for coffee a month after my mother-in-law died. I was swamped with grief and found my carefully crafted devotional practice was far beyond my current capacity.
She looked at me with compassion, and said, “Jessica, you should read a devotional.”
She heard the weariness in my soul and saw my desire to cling to Jesus. Her years of wisdom give me the hand-up I needed in my devotional life.
You deserve the same compassion, love, and grace in your life. So, I created We Who Thirst for that purpose.
I pray that the articles and resources you find here will be a launching pad enabling you to reach for Jesus in every circumstance.
Intentional Devotional Plans
Growing up in church, I knew that in order to walk with Jesus I must pray and read my Bible regularly. Yet, I don’t remember finding detailed instructions or available tools that expanded the thirst for Jesus in my soul.
What I needed to do was defined, yet I lacked a HOW that inspired my heart.
Today, one of my great passions to helping people discover their HOW.
Throughout my walk with Christ, I have often switched between two or three different devotional plans depending on my needs for the day or the season. As you look back, you likely have done this as well! And I wanted to create a system allowing us to intentionally choose a meaningful devotional practice fitting our season of life.
Each one of us is different. And we change over time. Personal development combined with different seasons of life impacts the way we approach the world. What worked for you before marriage or before kids, likely is not an effective plan today. Your brainpower and energy levels may have dramatically shifted.
You have permission to be where you are at today.
Jesus isn’t looking for you to have a perfectly curated devotional time done in the Biblical languages. He’s not looking for you to slavishly spend 2.5 hours in prayer daily.
Jesus longs for our hearts to thirst for Him and to stand in awe of His majesty.
Maybe you are:
- new and trying to learn how to grow in your relationship with Jesus.
- weary, and needing help to engage the scriptures.
- full of life and energy, but not pushing yourself to grow in your engagement of the Bible.
- feeling lost in all the options.
- a new mom having trouble figuring out a devotional plan because no two days with a baby look the same, so how could you plan?
- advanced in Bible knowledge and practice but in need of a season of rest.
- depressed – and any thinking at all seems impossible.
- experiencing serious decision fatigue.
Though we are all at different, changeable places, the word of God stays the same. There we find Jesus who shares with us His peace, rest, and comfort. We walk in awe of Him.
No matter where you are at. Jesus wants to meet you THERE. And I desire to ease your burden.
Introducing six devotional plans designed for every season of life!
I have created the Devotional Plan Flowchart System, containing six devotional plans tailored to your amount of time, brain-power, and confidence in studying the Bible.
You can follow the Devotional Plan Flowchart to seamlessly switch between any of these devotional plans depending on your need for that day.
If you know what scripture verse or passage you desire to read, just follow the flow chart to see what activities would be helpful for your current season.
“Have more time?” suggestions are included for those days when you wish to continue on in fellowship with the Lord past your original plan.
May this Devotional Plan Flowchart System and accompanying resources be a help to you as you seek Jesus. May He powerfully encourage and bless your heart and your life.
Susan Evans
When I go through a difficult time in my life, I spend more time abiding in His presence. Often His comfort comes when we just sit with Jesus. Even if your brain doesn’t work, your spirit can connect with Him, and you can be encouraged. Singing praises also helps.