As I mentioned in my previous post, my schedule has seen a lot of transition recently, that led to more early morning time for devotion and prayer. In the brief time since these changes occurred, many positive results are showing up in my life. The list that follows is not comprehensive, but may give you inspiration to look for similar results in your devotional life.

Natural Blessings
Thankfully, the weather cooperated the past few weeks allowing me to enjoy my devotions and coffee on the deck. My meditation was accompanied by a chorus of birds and frequent visits by rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks. I now have a chipmunk and a catbird that like to sit in the deck and watch me read and pray.

Not only do these visitors amuse me, but, along with the rest of the natural beauty that surrounds me, they point to the awesome creativity of God. The power of spending time in contemplation while observing the diverse beauty of the natural world extends far beyond the ability of words to express. Such reflection forms an unspoken dialogue with God and with the world around me.

A Heavenly Perspective
Allowing time for conversation with God as the day begins helps to capture God’s perspective on the day ahead. As I open myself to more of God in my life, I increase my ability to see my life, and the context in which I live, from heaven’s viewpoint. This shapes my prayer and reflection, and then influences my actions as I move throughout the day.

Finding what I are looking for
Beginning early affords the opportunity to declare good things over the day ahead. The power of positive confession cannot be overstated. When I speak good things over my life, my circumstances, and my community, I join God in the creative power of blessing, I train myself to be a person of blessing, and I direct my mind and spirit to be looking for blessings around me. Like the ability to suddenly see the vehicle I purchased all around me, when I start my day focused on blessings, I will find what I am looking for throughout the day.

Listening Before the Noise Comes On
One of the things I appreciate the most is the ability to listen to God and to my heart before the chaos of the day creeps in. Once I’ve checked my email and social networks, the noise of the world makes it mor challenging to hear the still, small voice of God. It also makes it harder to be honest about my own thoughts and feelings. The stillness of the morning heightens my spiritual awareness throughout the day.

I hope these early reflections on the benefits of making time for holy meditation at the beginning of the day will inspire you to consider trying it for a season in your own life. I would love to hear your experiences and results.

The post Early Impact appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

What if there really is a hidden spiritual value in quiet, early mornings? I’ve been asking myself this question recently, and I am afraid that the answer might be, “Yes.”

After some recent dental surgery, my schedule turned upside down. Sleeping on the sofa and wrestling with a little pain and discomfort made it very difficult to keep my normal routine. I found I needed sleep in the middle of my day and, unfortunately, I was awake early in the morning. Rising before dawn with little to do and nothing worth watching on television, I began to give some more concentrated time to reading my Bible and to prayer. This led to more reflection, journaling and, ultimately, to some significant spiritual growth.

All of this was a huge departure from my typical preference and action. I once saw a piece of artwork that captured my life motto when it came to early mornings. Across the background of a beautiful sun-filled landscape were the words, “If God wanted us to see the sunrise, he would have scheduled it later in the day.” All I can say is, “Amen!” Yet, I cannot miss the impact these recent early mornings made on my spiritual life.

As I read the Gospels, it seems Jesus frequently arose early and went off to pray. While I always recognized this highlighted the significance of prayer, I attributed the early mornings to Jesus being a “morning person.” Since God did not make me that way, I adapted my prayer life to fit the schedule of my personality. I am beginning to believe, there was more to Jesus’ timing than I first understood.

Time with God at the start of the day, engages our spirit before the rest of life and the world have an opportunity to intrude on our thoughts. Here, before the needs of family, work, and a myriad of distractions beg for our attention, we can engage God with an undivided focus. In those early moments, there is nothing we must do, leaving a block of uninterrupted time to savor the presence of God.

These early moments also shape our thoughts and our day. Instead of diving into the chaos of the news or being sucked into the business of the our schedule, we can wait upon God to give us heaven’s perspective on our life and our plans. If we pause long enough, the heartbeat of our lives will begin to embrace the rhythm of the heart of God.

When Jesus went out on those early mornings, he went in the dark to a deserted place, and there he prayed. Free from all distractions, he gave God his full, undivided attention. Here, his life and ministry reclaimed the imprint of the Almighty, and set the agenda for what really mattered. Imagine the impact these times had on Jesus’ ministry. Imagine the impact they could have on ours.

In my next post, I will share the impact I am beginning to see as a result of these early times of meditation. For now, I pray you will consider what God might do in, and through you, if your day began soaking in undistracted attention to God’s divine presence. If this is already a part of your spiritual practice, I would love to hear your experiences in the comments.

Be blessed as you seek to experience and share the loving heart of God!

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