Perhaps you’ve heard the acronym ADL – Activities of Daily Living. It is a term used by therapists and caregivers to describe the basic functions that make up normal life: mobility, communication, eating and drinking, personal care, sleeping, and many others. These are the ordinary routines that allow a person to live with independence and purpose.
Within each of those categories, professionals evaluate how well a person is functioning. Can they manage these activities on their own? Do they need assistance? Are they improving or declining?
Even outside the medical world, we all have our own unofficial “activities of daily living.” We check the weather forecast, read the news, follow job postings, track our investments, exercise, or stop for coffee. If something matters to us, we have no trouble making it part of our daily routine. Interest quickly becomes habit.
But there is one activity missing from every official ADL list—and it is the most important of all.
Spiritual activity.
The ability to connect with God.
To enjoy His presence.
To honour Him in our lives.
To seek His will each day.
The Psalmist wrote:
“Seek the LORD, and His strength; seek His face evermore.” Psalm 105:4
At first glance, “seek His face evermore” can sound like a beautiful but vague religious phrase. Yet another translation makes it very practical:
“Seek His presence continually!” Psalm 105:4 (ESV)
Continually. Daily. Regularly.
For a Christian, seeking the Lord is meant to be as normal as eating, sleeping, or breathing. It is a spiritual activity of daily living.
This daily rhythm of meeting with God is seen throughout Scripture. David testified of his own habit:
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3
For him, communion with God was not occasional—it was a planned, daily appointment. Just as we begin each day with breakfast or by checking our schedule, David began his day by turning his heart toward the Lord.
And why would we not? Every new day brings fresh opportunities to experience the goodness of God:
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed…They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23
If God’s mercies are renewed every morning, then surely we are meant to come to Him every morning to receive them.
Imagine if a therapist were evaluating our lives. We might score very well in many areas. We can care for ourselves, work hard, exercise, manage our schedules, and keep up with responsibilities. We may be very disciplined about checking emails, news updates, or our favourite websites every single day.
But how would we score in this critical area—seeking the presence of God?
Do I seek the Lord each day?
Do I receive His strength each day?
Am I conscious of my need to spend time alone with Him each day?
The Apostle Paul knew the pressures and weariness of life and ministry. Outwardly, his life was often difficult, yet he could still say:
“Yet the inner man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
That inner renewal did not happen by accident. It was the result of daily fellowship with Christ.
Enjoying the Lord and walking with Him are not meant to be occasional events. They are meant to be the normal rhythm of life for every child of God. When that activity is missing, something essential is missing.
So here is a simple question: Is time with God on your ADL list?
If not, perhaps today is the day to adjust your schedule and make it part of your daily routine. The Lord is always ready to meet with you—and no time spent in His presence is ever wasted.