Do you struggle to get going early?

After a long day of performing yesterday and the 2-hour drive home from Bertram, TX, I was physically spent.
Yet… I woke early.
Way too early.
My first thought was? Ugh, “What’s going on?”

Early to bed, early to rise … yes, a very familiar saying, yet the thought of waking this early held no promise of making me healthy, wealthy, or wise. And yet, here I am up before the sun has an inkling to break into dawn.

Do you know that ‘early in the morning’ appears in the Scriptures approximately 144 times? One verse resonated with me this morning, Mark 1:35 ESV

We read, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”

Three phrases stood out to me, “very early,” “while it was still dark,” and “a desolate place.”

• Very early allows me time to ponder the day.
• While it was still dark, gives me a sense of calm and quiet.
• A desolate place tells me being by myself can be a good thing.
• Praying is a given, what a joy to pray for others.

What words stand out to you in this passage?
What feelings do they prompt?

Let’s journey together,

Abba Father, this is the day that You have made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Guide our hearts to seek You with every ounce of our being.
Strengthen our countenance.
Make our paths straight.
Let this day bring You glory and honor.
Hallelujah. Amen.