In the book Courageous Leadership Bill Hybels refers to learning the best way for you to connect with God. He recommends that there are probably some ways that facilitate you connecting and drawing strength from God that differ among people. When I read it recently that chapter didn't stand out as peculiar to me, until I had a discussion with someone on our Operations Team. This is a mature follower of Christ who had never heard the idea of differing ways to connect to God. It was a lesson that I took for granted, but found out that there are many Christians who don't know that there are different ways to facilitate connecting with God. It was a foolish oversight. Glad I have good friends.
Communion with God is not a one-sized fits all venture. It isn't cookie cutter, and unfortunately it is not an exact enough science that I could talk with you for an hour and prescribe. I could only recommend, and then it is up to you.
One way to think about it is what the Renovare group offers as the streams of Christianity. They all flow into God, but the streams take different routes: Contemplative, Holiness, Charismatic, Incarnational, Evangelical, and Social Justice. Each of these streams offers a value to the church, and as the church we should seek a balance of these streams. But on an individual level you should know that you'll excel in one of these streams. And you will find that stream helps you connect with God in a deeper, more meaningful way. My recommendation? Explore them. Determine which stream God has made you for. Then after you've discovered it, go there often. Commune with God through that stream, and discipline yourself to try the other streams as a sacrifice of worship to God. Celebrate those whose stream is different from your own, and learn how they connect with God.
--Ben
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