How to START YOUR DAY!

 

I am so busy right now. My day is packed with writing sermons, hospital visits, meetings, fellowship time, family time, and oh, by the way, I do still get to take a few moments to eat and sleep. I am not complaining, I love the busyness because it has purpose. The Lord is working and I love being along for the ride! But, I cannot be a hypocrite. I need to STOP, take a SABBATH, and sit in the presence of God. So, each day, I start with a SABBATH time of rest and reflection before I jump into the busyness of life. That SABBATH time is one of the most precious times of my day and it happens at the crack-of-dawn. 

My routine includes showering, getting dressed, sitting down with my coffee and reading God's word. The time I sit in my office at home, just slowly, intentionally, quietly, reading God's word is one of the best times of my day. Each morning, throughout the week, for the past three years, I have come into the presence of the Lord reading his word. Yes, I have missed a few days. But, I had plenty of time to pick up where I left off. Although this routine is a part of my Ordination with the Church of God, the purpose of my morning time is not a duty to be fulfilled. I determined early on that I just needed ONE TIME EACH DAY to sit quietly in the PRESENCE OF GOD. I am not focused on writing a sermon or trying to parse words or phrases. My entire purpose is to LISTEN to GOD SPEAK. Yes, part of listening has also been writing. As I began this gentle time in God's word three years ago, I realized right away I needed an outlet to share what and how God was speaking to me. I needed a way to help organize my thoughts and to internalize what God was saying to me each morning. THAT IS HOW THIS BLOG CAME INTO BEING!

Today I finished my three year journey through the scriptures. I have loved this so much more than trying to read through the Bible in a year. I did that for about seven years and realized in my ZEAL to complete the TASK, I often missed the voice of God. So, three years ago, when I was given the assignment to take three years to study God's word, I vowed to make it more of an intimate time with God. It has been wonderful and of course, will continue. 

Today I read the final two chapters in Revelation and this verse captivated my heart:

"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let anyone who hears this say, "Come." Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires, drink freely from the water of life." (Revelation 22:17, NLT)

God invites us into his presence every day and we are to ALSO invite others to come into his presence. I love the tone of this verse.  It reminds me of this verse:

"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

Studying God's word is NOT meant to be a BURDEN. God's word is meant to provide us rest, peace, and joy. We are invited to COME to JESUS and HE will carry our burdens. I think I learn the most from God when I gently come to him and rest quietly in his presence. I praise God for the peace I received over the pasts three years as he has spoken to me through his word!