Morning devotions

I’m a big believer in morning devotions.

Until about 2 months ago, I had been waking up just as the sun was coming up and going for long leisurely walks through the neighborhood. Getting fresh air and exercise, rediscovering and re-committing myself to Jesus… by the time I got home I was ready to work with a re-calibrated attitude toward my savior and purpose.

I experienced a huge difference when my work schedule changed. I stopped doing my morning devotions because  I was now forced to wake up at 4 am. Get up and take a prayer walk at 3:30 am? Not so practical I daresay.

Not only had I stopped reading my bible before work, but several situational changes came at me fast. These were things I had no control over like moving into a new place, having a relationship become long-distance, and commuting to the office (I had worked from home before).

The shift seemed subtle to me; the last thing devil wants us to realize is that we are slipping. We want to believe we are doing just fine and are in no need of help. The fact is, God was no longer a top priority in my day. I was slipping back into old patterns of depression and isolation.

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:1-2). I was certainly giving in to my inclination to giving up. But by God’s grace, and a little bit of nudging, my dear friends who know who they are helped me out of my hole.

And I know that this is the truth: that desire for God does not come from myself. It is impossible for me to want Him unless the Holy Spirit gives it to me to want Him. The fact that I’m sitting here now reflecting and praising is proof of God’s faithfulness and goodness. He has already begun giving me what he promised he would!

I know I must content myself with a max of 15 minutes before I leave for work. I can read a little chunk of scripture and spend my commute meditating on it. It’s not much but it’s God-given so who could complain about that?