WATCHWORD:
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21
Meditation:
Good Morning, Lord
I awaken. It is still dark and very quiet. I look at the clock – 1:55 a.m. I, sigh, turn over, and snuggle down into the warmth of my bed, trying to return to sleep, but it evades me. My mind is at work, a left-over thought from yesterday, or a new one for today? I quiet my mind and try some tricks of relaxation… nothing. After a time, I roll over, look, again, at the clock — 2:12 a.m. I finally accept the fact that I am wide awake. To what purpose?
Somewhere in those 17 minutes of wakefulness my mind turns to Jesus in gratitude for just being Lord, or, perhaps, He can help me return to sleep. No, there is something else. I reach over, turn on the bed-side lamp — my day begins.
This little scenario happens pretty regularly with me, once or twice a week. It used to vex me, until I began to realize there was a purpose, there was a reason beyond my own understanding, and I needed to respond with an open, prayerful mind.
1:55 a.m. Good morning, Lord! Hmm, sounds a bit weird, doesn’t it? Let me assure you, it is not. Over time, I have come to understand that it is a privilege, it is grace, it is a gift, and, yes, sometimes it’s a pain. And, yet, I know there is a reason for my wakefulness.
Without exception, early mornings, lead me into the Word, into devotionals, into prayer-time, into my informal conversations with God. No exception, regardless of the time, each and every morning. The purpose? Now that changes each day, which, in itself, makes me grateful. Variety is a specialty of the Lord. Some days, after my time with God, rarely I return to bed with the hope of sleep. Other days, with greater frequency, I am led to write something, to put blessed thoughts on a blank page, and inspiration of the Spirit guides my choice of words.
For the past five or six years, since this routine began, I have used a simple prayer in those quiet times with the God: “What would you have me write, Lord?” Rarely, has He not responded with grace.
I’ve never thought of myself as an author. Still don’t. Yet, you may wonder about that if you consider the books, devotionals, essays that bear my name. If I took the idea of authorship, seriously, and boasted, I’d be a fraud. I know where those words come from and I am grateful beyond my ability to express it. I have spoken to my Lord about this, thanking Him with gratitude, and I can only imagine that He just smiles.
What about you? What is your story? How has your time with God refreshed the start of your day and turned ordinary into extraordinary under the guidance of the Holy Spirit? That whispered voice of God is there, your role, my role, is to abide, to allow peace to sharpen your hearing. So be it.
Movie Recommendation:
I think too often we skim through Netflix looking for film inspiration, something to entertain and trying to read something into the titles that slip by. Here is one you should not pass over — Blue Miracle. Based on a true story, it starts a little rough, don’t give up. In the end, a true happy and inspiring resolution.
Thanksgiving Prayer:
Heavenly Father, it’s with gratitude that we come to you today for You are worthy of praise and our adoration. You created the earth and all that is in it. You give us life and set our feet on the path of righteousness. We give thanks to You because You have chosen us and called us out of the darkness. You have forgiven our sins and restored our souls. You and You alone deserve glory and honor and praise. Let all the earth be filled with the praises of our God. In the Name of Jesus be lifted up once again across our land. May the praises of God break forth. Amen. — Allen Jackson
