Today’s post is a call for change in my life and yours.
I’ve been up since 5:45am. Even as I write this, I empathize with all of you who may have slept fitfully last night through many disruptions by young ones in your home. You may have endless tasks before you today, of which I can empathize as well. You may feel overwhelmed, and the day has not yet even begun–I’ve been there, and praise God, I want to share a little bit of encouragement with you.
What we treasure and prioritize is evidenced through how we spend our time.
While we seek to have time in the Word each day, sometimes we can lack the sweet fellowship of communing with Him as a steady means of provision, rather than a dutiful reaction to the hectic pace of our lives. I’m perennially burdened for the desire to seek first the Kingdom; and yet, so much of what I communicate with my time is that I prioritize productivity and service (sometimes to the exclusion of abiding.) Susannah Wesley was known to flip her apron over her head in order to have time alone with the Lord amidst raising 10 children. She undoubtedly communicated to her children, that she treasured and needed time alone with the Lord.
Carolyn Mahaney and her three daughters ask these questions in their book Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed
- Do you plan ahead to maximize your fruitfullness each day, or do you simply let life happen?
- Do you make choices based on Scripture or on what feels good at the moment?
- Do you strategize or use your talents to bless you family and church, or do you employ them primarily for your own personal fulfillment?
- Do you evaluate every opportunity in light of biblical priorities or do you do whatever it takes to get ahead?
- Do you consider whom God would have you serve, or do you try to please everyone all the time?
Using a biblical, grace-based perspective, Mahaney and her daughters help us prioritize, beginning with rising early to sit at the Lord’s feet. Don’t be scared–but these ladies have chosen 5am as their wake-up time. No one (including these ladies) physically enjoys waking up early, and yet, all of us can relate to the desperation that results from the busyness of life crowding out fruitful time alone with God. I know I’m not the only one who has felt the diminishing returns of self-sufficiency. I often think I have more freedom when I “see how the day goes,” but I’m here to tell you that there is no freedom like consistency and discipline. Consistency and discipline make fertile the soil for spiritual grown, and spiritual growth, in turn, produces greater consistency and discipline.
After much prayer and counting of cost (like a much earlier bedtime!), the tilling of this soil now begins at 5:45am each day. There is no formula for holiness found at that hour, nor anything to prove. It’s merely the best way to truly allow my treasure to be aligned with my schedule…to be prepared in my spirit, and ready to serve my family. John Piper reminds us, “The human heart does not replenish itself with sleep. The body does, but not eh heart…We replenish our hearts not with sleep, but with the Word of God and prayer.” (Little did I know, my dear husband was studying in a similar vein, and preached accordingly yesterday.)
Do you want to join me? We can start a 5:45 club. {grin}
What we make time for reveals what we treasure and what we are dependent upon desperate for. May we recognize the joy of dependence on the Word, and the great strength it gives us to combat sin and glorify the Father.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel for the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
Psalm 1: 1-3
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So great. Can’t wait to meet again soon and talk about this club some more:) I’m currently counting the cost. Love you!
I’ll join! I am currently up at 600 anyway to feed the baby and then I get on with my routine by 630, 15 minutes earlier shouldn’t be too hard! Thanks for opening this up to others. I am lacking some of the personal structure I need right now.
I’ll join … I’ve been wanting to do this for awhile but have had no accountability. (And 5:45 is so much more appealing than 5:00
This is such a great reminder…especially to us mommas who tend to get wrapped up in our family responsibilities–and forget the One who blessed us with our families and gives us the strength to take care of them! Your commitment to spend disciplined time with the Lord is an encouragement to all of us. Love you!
I love this, I have been trying for the last month or so to rise early. I love getting up early and having the house quiet! So very quiet and the day goes so much smoother when I have my time with God. Yes, I am exhausted and often fall asleep while getting the kids to bed but it is well worth it. We were traveling last week and my schedule is all off. Iam planning to be on track today and I will join your group! I love your blog.
Keilah, I’m so encouraged to hear your thoughts, and am thankful for your presence here…
Hey- thought about you today… but not until 6:23. Lovin’ this reminder about the blessings found in sacrifice.
After reading Shopping for Time I was convicted of not being prepared in my heart to serve my family each morning. I did a modification of the Mahaney families accountability in that I asked a close friend if we could send each other text messages to make sure the other was awake. Those text messages caused me to get out of bed when I was tempted to snooze and have helped both of us in establishing a new routine. Praise the Lord!
I was thinking this very thing–that texting could be a great way to be accountable. Sadly, I’ve got limited texts. Being prepared in my heart to serve my family was a huge factor for me too. I really was tired of waking up to everyone needing me without my heart being prepared to be needed.
Rising early is my heart’s desire. I’m a night owl, always have been. I desperately want to change that. I want to be in the “club”! It will be near impossible without Divine intervention. Thankfully, I believe in that. I know I can’t do it on my own. I believe the discipline of consistently rising early will change my life. Thanks for posting this. Very timely.
I’m commenting…again. I linked back to this from your trials and suffering post. For one, I think you’re absolutely right about our readiness for trials. Often we secretly delight in the comfortable, peaceful times, and trying to prepare ourselves for the possibility of difficulty is hard to do when in that state. I love that quote by John MacArthur! Wow, so true. We’ve just finished the Band of Brothers series so that makes total sense to me.
That post in combination with this one is of great encouragement to me today! Both tests require total and utter reliance on God as our source, as our sustainer, whether it be the discipline waking early or coming to his feet in times of trial.
I love you Ruth!