Articles & Devotionals
Start the Day
What is one of the first things we do in the morning on a weekday? If you’re like me, the answer is rising from the bed, stumbling our way into the bathroom to shower, or maybe we even skip the shower and just get dressed. It is something we all do every day as we mentally prepare for the day. During that time as I am waking up I am thinking about all of the things I have to do, what the kids may need or where they need to go, what projects at work I need to work on, or lately what projects at home I need to work on. I use this time to plan the day and get my head put on straight so I am ready to go and ready for whatever comes my way.
When I was a runner, the hardest part was not the running early in the mornings, it was getting out of bed, getting dressed and putting shoes on the feet. Once I was out the door, it was easy from there, it was just getting started that was the hard part. So, how do we make it easier to get out of bed and get the day going? Start that day with the Lord.
“Seek My Face” says the Lord in Psalm 27:8 at the beginning of the day. This practice helps you to “put Him on” throughout the day and the sooner you do just that through communication with Him, the better prepared you will be for what is to come throughout the day.
How is that possible? By seeking His Face, we are seeking his personal presence. We are also seeking his insight, knowledge, wisdom and patience through communicative prayer. Deut 4:29 tells us that we will find Him if we seek Him with all of our heart and soul.
Ps 40:16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. When we open ourselves early in the morning to Him and He being first on our mind our day starts with balance and patience for the things that are to come because He is walking every step with us and we are walking every step with Him. By doing this we are essentially dressing our spirit with the Lord, we are wearing Him. Ask the Spirit to control our thoughts, actions, decisions and our steps.
Romans 13:14 Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. With this, we are equipped to face whatever people and situations are brought our way. Clothing our mind in Him is our best preparation for any day. As Paul states in Colossians 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Tomorrow as you wake up think about this and think about your day. Remember you do not have to tackle this day alone, the Lord and all of his power are behind you every step of the way. Take advantage of that, embrace that and live that. You are chosen of God, take time to start your day by choosing Him.
