Jun 30
Starting the day off on the right foot…
Posted by Jody | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 30-06-2009
(…or should I say on the right knee).
I have for far too long heard it preached at me and said to me to start my day off in God’s Word. However, I am not always a morning person. In fact, sleeping is a favorite, if not my very favorite, past-time for me.
I usually start out the day with the best of intentions. I will set the alarm clock 30 minutes to 1 hour early to have time with God. But when 6:30 or 7:00 roll around I find myself battling my alarm clock like it is an evil dragon and I am a prince rescuing a damsel in distress. At the last possible second I roll out of my fortress of solitude, get in the shower, and start my day.
Well, this week I got to work and started my day off by reading from the gospel of Matthew. I got through about 7 chapters before I had to buckle down and start my work. Now, there was nothing inherently new about the verses I read. To be honest, I had probably ready these verses many times. However, the Holy Spirit revealed many new truths through these ancient words that encouraged my heart and uplifted my spirits. (If you have time read through the genealogy of Jesus, there’s some amazing stories that are the background for the list in Matthew 1).
You probably would think I would find myself behind the entire day because of the 30-40 minutes I spent reading this Scripture…me too. Contrary to my premonitions, I found this day to be one of the most productive days I have had in a long time. It makes sense that if you give God your “first fruits” (the first part of your day) that He will bless that and your day will be productive [Proverbs 3:8-10; Romans 11:16].
Now, this is not to say that I believe there is a magical formula for having a good day. I am not what the TV preachers would call a “Name It and Claim It” type of dude. But I am a “Take My God Literally When He Promises Stuff” kinda dude.
I guess that’s what Jesus had in His mind as it is recorded in Mark 1:35: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” If the greatest man who ever lived needed to get up early and seek the Lord, then a poor wretch like me needs to do the same. It’s the least I can do.
A final thought to meditate on: The great reformer Martin Luther once said,
“I have so much to do today that I shall spend the first 3 hours in prayer.”
Just a thought….
-Russon





