Quiet With God

Early morning rising,

Getting out of bed;

Sun brightly shining,

Stinging to my head.

Waking in the morning,

Several minutes past;

Cold water running,

Awakened now—at last.

Sitting down with Jesus,

Learning from His Word;

Starting off with Jesus,

Sharing with my Lord.

How I like my quiet time

Each and every day;

How I like my quiet time,

It gets me on our way.

(JEB 3/28/77)

One of the disciplines I learned while involved with Campus Crusade for Christ in college was the importance of having a set apart time with God, where I could quietly spend time in prayer, reading, thinking and listening with God. I must admit that at that time my mornings were not that structured and that getting up well in advance of classes in order to spend this time with God was a real challenge. And as I’ve moved through the years I have continued to struggle with the same early morning discipline.

But regardless of how early (or not) this time might occur, I’ve learned the importance of maintaining a set aside time to spend with God at the beginning of my day. And I’ve also found on the negative side that when I don’t do this on a consistent basis for a season it shows in other areas of my life. My sit down times may occur a little later, but I rarely get out of bed without spending some time in prayer, and I rarely take a shower without spending some time seeking God. And when I do finally sit down, I’ve continued to grow in my appreciation of these times with God, and then enjoy those bonus times that crop up in various ways throughout my day.

When I first wrote the above poem having a quiet time was something new, and in writing it, the last line first ended with, “It gets me on my way.” But as I thought about it, and before I recorded it in a small book I still keep, I changed the last line. I realized then, and it has proven so over the years that the Christian life is a life of living in the Presence of God, and that the walk I walk is one that is intended to be walked with God—making it truly an “our” journey.

I still don’t like the brightness of the sun as it still stings my eyes, but I have known and continue to appreciate getting up in the presence of the Son and walking in His Spirit.

John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

Colossians 2:6-7  Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (6/29)

As you get out of bed in the morning, be aware My Presence with you. You may not be thinking clearly yet, but I am. Your early morning thoughts tend to be anxious ones until you get connected with Me. Invite Me into your thoughts by whispering My Name. Suddenly your day brightens and feels more user-friendly. You cannot dread a day that is vibrant with My Presence.

You gain confidence through knowing that I am with you – that you face nothing alone. Anxiety stems from asking the wrong question: “If such and such happens, can I handle it?” The true question is not whether you can cope with whatever happens, but whether you and I together can handle anything that occurs. It is this you-and-I-together factor that gives you confidence to face the day cheerfully.

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my request before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3

O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13