Make a New Start!
Not long ago, as I began waking up and starting my usual process of planning what I was going to do that day, there was a sudden shift of focus. In hindsight, I can only say that the Holy Spirit redirected my thoughts toward God without my being aware of it happening. I thought about the fact that my God, Who watches over me neither slumbering nor sleeping (Ps. 121:4-5), had been right there all night watching me and caring for me. It’s not that I felt His presence or saw anything. The Spirit just brought that Scripture to my remembrance and it was very real. Though my pattern has long been to wake up and mull over what I will do that day, I realized in those few moments that my first thoughts need to be of the One Who never stops thinking about me and watching over me, which required a conscious decision.
What will this new and much-improved thought pattern be like? It’s not a matter of following a three-step formula and then you have it. I am going to share with you some of the very things I meditated upon that first morning, while still in bed, to make it clearer, and then you can ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the way that is best for you. For me to do the same thing the same way every day is not only boring, but it becomes a religious exercise I am able to accomplish without thought, and thus it becomes void of the power of God for me. It may not be that way for you at all. Our heavenly Father made each of us so uniquely, and He has just the perfect direction for us each day, if we will just ask Him. Understand, also, that this isn’t taking the place of my regular prayer time each day – just getting me off to a great start even earlier!
The most important thing as I’m just beginning to awaken, is to become aware of my thoughts and turn them to my Father, the One Who is right here with me – first, not after I’ve planned out my whole day. I need to start my every day by turning to Him completely, not just acknowledging Him. Maybe I begin by thanking Him for a night of sweet sleep (even if it wasn’t as sweet or as lengthy as my flesh would have preferred) [Ps. 4:8, Prov. 3:24]; thanking Him for my life and for another day (even if it’s not just the way I want it right now) [Is. 50:4]; thanking Him for His plans and purposes for me in this day (even if I’m not sure what they are) [Rom. 8:28, Phil. 3:10 AMP]. I also make the choice right there in His Presence to rejoice and be glad in this day He has made and allowed me to live in (even if there are hard things I’m facing in this day) [Ps. 118:24]; consecrate my life to Him (dying to myself and my ways and taking up my cross to follow Jesus) [Luke 9:23, 1 Cor. 15:31] before I ever put a foot on the floor. I can thank Him for having watched over me and cared for me all through the night [Ps. 121:3-5, Ps. 145:20]; thank Him that He has promised never to leave me or forsake me [Deut. 31:6,8, Josh. 1:5]; thank Him that He is not a man that He would lie [Num. 23:19], so I can trust Him and His Word and every promise in His Word [1 Thess. 5:24 AMP, Ps. 19:7-9], regardless of what is going on around me or in the world, at large. I can Praise Him that He is God and there is no other – the I AM [Is. 46:9, Ex. 3:14]; yet, in the midst of His being I AM, He wants and even yearns for, an intimate relationship with me [Is. 30:18 AMP] – all day long, all life long!
What a difference this is already making in my life as I choose to begin my days by focusing on God – like turning the lens on a camera until the view becomes clear and crisp. When I begin this way, it sets the atmosphere for the rest of my day and activities to be in proper order, with peace. The old way was much more likely to have me stressed out before I ever got out of bed. This is such a simple thing, but can be such a life changer. Really, I just need to take myself and my mind off the throne first thing in the morning, and allow God His rightful place there. Then I can watch Him move in mighty ways in and through me as I’ve never seen before. And I will know Him so much more intimately, just as He has always desired – all because He changed my thoughts one morning. Praise His name!
If you have been in the same “figure the day out” mindset as I was, I have one more practical tip for you. Making this change is much easier to remember to do upon first waking up if you make sure that the last thing you focus on before going to sleep at night is the Lord. Perhaps you print this Nugget and read that middle paragraph to yourself just before turning off the light. Or read any Scriptures that remind you of Who He is, what He has done, and how He thinks of you. It will take practice to get into this habit, but be assured, the Word of God works, and He is faithful Who is calling You to Himself [1 Thess. 5:24 AMP]. He will remind you, help you, and lead you, because He is a loving Father helping His children grow to be more and more like Him. Glory to God!
© Copyright 2007 Kay V. Stocking
