I am by nature a total morning person. My day usually begins at 5AM...generally when I tell people this I am met by blank stares of confusion followed my “why?”
The answer is simply because I enjoy a leisurely morning routine. Actually, the getting dressed process for me happens in thirty minutes or less... Today however I woke up with very little time to get ready. My alarm went off at my usual 5 am and I kept convincing myself I could sleep for 15 more minutes. Just 15 more…and before I knew it an hour and half had passed.
Generally I am up and ready with plenty of time, you see I like to give myself an hour for devotion/journaling time in the morning before I go to work. It’s honestly my favorite part of the day. A warm cup of coffee, the quiet stillness of a day that's just getting started, comforting music in my ears, and a pen in hand. No obligations as of yet. No stresses pulling at me. Just me and God.
It’s a very important and peaceful time of day for me. And today, I missed it.
My days never seem quite right when I miss this time. I feel a little bit off, you know?
So, trying to recover this time that I treasure so dearly, I decided to read my devotional on lunch at work. I quickly and distractedly read through today’s devotion, It was something about hospitality but I read through it so fast, I’m not even sure I could recall any of the specifics for you. But that doesn’t matter. God had to have appreciated my efforts, even if it was only 5 minutes...
As I skimmed over the Bible verses the author assigned for us to read, I suddenly realized that I was not paying attention at all to what I was reading. I was just trying to “get it done” instead of actually learn something. I was too distracted by my emails on the dual screen next to me and the sound of the hustle and bustle of students in the hall outside my office.
Here I am thinking God should be happy I’m trying, when really I’m just insulting Him.
God doesn’t want my half-hearted efforts. He wants my full attention. Doesn’t matter if it’s 5 minutes or 50 minutes; if I’m just doing it out of obligation and not out of devotion, then I’m missing the point.
What if, what if, reading the Bible was not about me doing my Christian duty? What if it was about learning and growing and gaining wisdom?
What if I truly believed that the Bible was sharper than a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), could prepare me for my day (2 Timothy 3:16-17), light the way (Psalm 119:105), and give me wisdom and guidance to navigate through life (Joshua 1:8)?
Skimming through the Bible isn’t going to do me any good. I’m cutting myself short by not giving God the time of day to teach me something new and to do some soul-searching, good works within me. Reading the Bible to “feel good” about my Christian walk, to place a check mark next to the box that says “read the Bible daily”, is really just about me being religious. Not necessarily me being in relationship with God.
Which that is what this is, right? A relationship? You know, the kind where you both talk and listen and devote your full attention to each other? God’s doing His part. He’s there with ears attentive to my voice. And He’s ready to talk to me, if I could just stop being so distracted by the things of this world and tune my heart into him.
So maybe I should stop giving Him my efforts and give Him my full attention instead. I think that’s what morning quiet time is all about.
Linkuped with Class, Sassy & A Bit Smartassy // The Painted Tea Cup
Another great post! I am also guilty of this from time to time. You know just, reading to place that check mark. But you're right, how can I learn and really "devote" myself to leading a life that's Christ-like if I just rush through my devotion. That's truly not giving God the relationship he truly desires to have with me. Thank you for sharing! Have an awesome week and be blessed my sister in Christ :)
ReplyDeleteKishina your always so sweet and supportive! Thank you!
DeleteYou are truly speaking to me with this one. I keep telling myself that I need to wake up early to get my devotion time in. When I get it in before I start my day, it seems to help me be more at peace. I've been doing it at night, but that's no good for my peace of mind during the day! My goal for the past couple of weeks has been to get up on time and I'm barely doing that, but I really need to push myself. I know I can do it!
ReplyDeleteJust yesterday my pastor was saying how the enemy is trying to distract us from reading and meditating in the word because he know that it contains the keys to the kingdom! If we could just press beyond our feeling and get into the word, how awesome!
DeleteSuch an inspiring post. I was just telling my husband that I think it's time for me to start waking up earlier so I can have some more me time. Unlike right now at eleven o'clock at night.
ReplyDeleteIts so important, I feel so productive!
DeleteThis is a great post! I wish I could be a morning person and am working to wake up earlier and earlier. I love the idea of having extra time in the morning with no distractions, because I've found as the day wears on, it starts to feel like you are just cramming everything in. I agree, God would definitely rather have 5 minutes of total devotion than 50 minutes of distraction. I'm working on this also!
ReplyDeleteSome days its such a struggle but most days its become habitual.
DeleteWaking up at 5AM is just not leisurely for me... That's when I HAVE to get up to be to work on time lol... I just can't make myself get up at 4AM to have more morning...
ReplyDeleteI can def understand how it can be a struggle, 4 am would def be too much for me lol
DeleteI've always wished I was more of a morning person so that I could get up and do a devotion in the morning. I'm a night owl, so that's when I tend to get my Bible reading in, but it always sounds like it would be nice to start the day that way.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could be productive at night but I just can not bring myself to accomplish much after 9 pm
DeleteI can totally relate to this post! I'm such an early riser as well but in all honesty, I would rather wake up early and get everything done so I can get everything done for a good nights rest! Great job :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you go through your day with intention and are accomplished at being in the moment! Good for you! I need to start starting my day earlier so there is a little less hustle and bustle. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI set my alarm every morning to wake me up an hour before I need to start getting ready that way I can wake up in a relaxed way and not have to rush through my morning. It helps so much in putting me in a good mood for the morning.
ReplyDeleteI am starting to get up earlier more and more lately and find that I am so productive during that time! Great post, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for your routine, because I find it incredibly hard to get up in the morning. I am definitely a morning person, it's just when I have to go to work...my body doesn't cooperate. On weekends, I enjoy this type of routine (not so early though lol)
ReplyDeleteRegardless, this is a great post, and I enjoyed what you shared with us. xoxo. Samantha
{www.pearlsandpolkadots.net}
What a great routine! I get up at 5 when I am working! Bravo for sticking with it!
ReplyDeletexo,
Jacqueline
stylininstlouis.com
Girl, I am an early riser too! I like time to get moving and to not rush. And, I love to have an unhurried time alone with the Lord also!
ReplyDeleteSome of my friends think I'm crazy for getting up so early. Thanks for letting me know that I am not the ONLY one!
Found you on the Friday Favorites link up. Very glad to find your site. (And, I followed you on Pinterest today).
Blessings,
Melanie
There is something so special about the sun rise with The Son! Melanie I am so glad you found me! Welcome!!!!
DeleteI love the point of God wanting your full attention. It is sad that we rarely give anything our full attention anymore, we are always multi-tasking. The mornings are such a great time to find that peace and start the day off on the right foot! Thanks for joining the Link-It To Me Link Party this week, I hope you will party with us again next week!
ReplyDeleteWere all guilty of sometimes trying to muti-task and throw God in that mix... Therese a great book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" that really brings this issue home!
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