The Dawn
by Joan Rono
I’m usually not a morning person, but I’ve come to realise the importance of starting the day in God’s presence. Jesus Himself sets an example by waking up early in the morning. I’m not suggesting you have to wake up at a certain time to pray, but as you begin the day its important to know that you’ve committed yourself to God, to be led by Him.
In a ‘rushing around’ society we tend to squeeze God into our busy schedules instead of letting Him be the centre of it. It’s about leaving our comfort zones, and this is difficult. It’s a sacrifice. Jesus got up, left the house and went off to pray. It wasn’t just a quick ‘by the way’ prayer and then He rushed off. It was a commitment and desire to spend time with God that moved Him from His place of comfort into a place of prayer.
Prayer is not so much an act as an attitude; an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. It’s not about how long you pray. You may speak to God for an hour and still not pray. You may meet God for a moment and be in touch with Him all day.
The moment when I first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty four hours ahead. No matter how weary or dreary I may feel I possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before me, absolutely anything could happen. Whether it happens or not doesn’t matter a bit to me. The possibility is always there. But knowing that the day is in God’s hand brings a peace and security in my heart.
Morning is an important time of day. How you spend your morning often speaks of what kind of day you’re going to have. It’s the beginning of a new day. You’ve been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important. You’re giving a day of your life for that thing. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, and in its place is something you’ve left behind. Let it be something good.
This is a great challenge to you and me, but give it a thought, and a try and see what God does. ‘Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart’ (Psalm 37:4).
Prayer: Lord, please help me to listen to what You are saying to me. Help me to depend on You every day of my life. Amen.
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