As an educator, I have grown accustomed to the 6:15 a.m. alarm, yet, I am still hesitant to call myself a morning person.
When I was in college, I remember waking at early hours to take writing classes that were electives. The funny thing was, I never once complained about the time of their 7:45 a.m. appearance. Grinning ear to ear, I genuinely remember jumping up and down in anticipation of the class because I wanted to perfect the craft of writing God had given me.
What if we learned to approach our mornings with God the same way? Although rising early may be difficult for us to do, I believe that our Heavenly Father will earnestly reward those who diligently seek Him in the wee hours of the day before stressors rise and our day has found its completion.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Jevtic
1. Start a Bible Reading Plan
One of the best ways I’ve found to start the day with God if you're not a morning person is by pretending that you are, or trying to “fake it ‘till you make it.” Rather, set yourself up for the best possible success.
When I rise with the sunlight peeking through my windows, and dew still on the grass, I focus on the word of God before anything else has a chance to distract me.
Immediately digging into the Word once my feet have hit the ground, I prioritize staying off my phone until I've spent time with Jesus. From the moment I stumble to the bathroom to the walk to the kitchen for breakfast, I pray, listen to Scripture, and read morning devotionals.
While God's word alone is far more critical than any supplemental devotional plan you could partake in, having the accountability of a Bible plan on a device like YouVersion or the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan can be excellent resources.
God's word and Jesus Himself, the word of God is a gift! "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
Photo Credit: © Sparrowstock
2. Pray
Numerous times in the Scriptures, Jesus took time alone to pray to His Father in Heaven. Not only that, but He also rose early to dedicate and make room for the seconds, minutes, and hours He'd spend in the presence of the Holy One, unrushed and untimed.
In Mark 1:35, we hear the story as the disciples search for Jesus after a long day of healing. Instead of finding Him still in bed, however, they see Him in a place of solitude with the Father. I cannot recount a Scripture where they ever found Him lazy, exhausted, or too tired to talk to His Best Friend, Creator, and Sustainer of Life.
"Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they said, "Everyone is looking for You!”
But Jesus answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come." So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons."
When we take time in the daylight to pray to God, we are preparing ourselves for a day dedicated to Him and His will.
"Very early in the morning I will seek you," declares Psalm 63:1, for "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord Watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those He loves" (Psalm 127:1-2).
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/ThitareeSarmkasat
3. Listen to Worship Music
Once I have spent time in the Word and prayed to God with a sincere and honest heart, I listen to worship music on my way to work to create a tranquil ambiance that allows me to take His peace with me even once I step foot into a stressful place.
While I understand that many of us may be stuck working from home, try taking the time to listen to worship music as you're getting ready for the day or in the shower, and see if it boosts your day.
Psalm 100:1-5 rejoices, "Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
By filling our minds with the word of God, praying to the one who hears and answers every prayer, and singing praises to His name, it is then crucial that we dedicate time and space in our day to quiet time with Him.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/fizkes
4. Find a Quiet Place
As an ambivert, it's difficult for me to say that I still struggle with moments of silence. While I can teach high school students all day and come home exhausted, finding a quiet place with the Lord and allowing Him time to speak is a challenge for me.
Sometimes, I think we all treat God like a one-way telephone line rather than a two-way street. But just as it takes two to have a successful relationship, we must stop talking and take the time to listen to what God has to say when we're speaking to Him.
Finding a quiet place could be as simple as your commute home from work or as dedicated as a prayer closet in your bedroom where you hide away from everyone and everything distracting. Whatever it may be, the Lord wants to hear from you, but He also wants to talk with you!
Jeremiah 33:3 reminds us, "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." When we read, pray, and talk to God, know that He's always speaking even if we don't hear it verbally. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Daiga Ellaby
5. Prepare a Good Breakfast
Finally, if we have armed our difficult morning hours with a good Bible plan, prayer, worship music, and time and space for the Lord, why not prepare a good meal to look forward to and wake you up!
While the Bible has little to say about breakfast specifically, Scripture does tell us that God wants us to have our daily bread (Him) and allow even the most mundane tasks to bring glory to His name (and that includes eating!).
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
With an open heart, free spirit, and mind focused on the Lord, even those of us who hate (or love) mornings can find five sweet ways to start the day with our Heavenly Father.
"Let us acknowledge the Lord; Let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth" (Hosea 6:3).
Resources:
Bible Study Tools - Bible Reading Plans
YouVersion
Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Brooke Lark
Originally published Friday, 05 February 2021.
