The Morning Monster

I am probably posting this at the wrong time of the day. It's okay. I will set it to repost later tonight also. 

You know what has always bugged me to no end? Morning people. You know, those people who are so perky and bubbly and are awake before 8:00 AM? You know what else always bugged me about those people? They were the ones who would always tell me that the only time to have a quiet time (aka Bible Study and Prayer) was in the morning before everyone wakes up and the house is peaceful. They would even try to play the "Jesus card," saying that Jesus even had HIs quiet time with God in the morning. (See Mark 1:35) I could always fight that off because I am most certainly not the Son of God. "These people" would drive me nuts.

Gag. I am most decidedly not a morning person. I'm not a late night person either. I'm a mid afternoon guy. An early quiet time has never worked for me. Journaling has never worked for me. However, and this is the most frustrating thing, mid-afternoons were never consistent enough to work for me either. So, at the end of the day when I am about to crash, I would reach for my Bible or devotional book, when I would remember. I would read it and start to pray, most of the time falling asleep before I ever got into anything significant. Honestly, "these morning people" never shoved it down my throat, nor were they trying to make me feel guilty, I just simply knew that my time with God wasn't what it should be and I was attempting to deflect my conviction and guilt by pointing out how annoying those people were. 

Recently, a perfect storm of things happened. I've mentioned them recently and will finish writing about them next week. First, I had to tile my basement. I had time to do it and needed to get it done two years ago. Second, the Winter Olympics. In this I was convinced there was nothing on television I couldn't live without and certainly nothing worth watching after 10:00 PM. And thirdly, I read an article by Michael Hyatt entitled "How to Become A Morning Person."

Here's what I've done*: 

1. I go to bed at 10:00 PM. As much as possible I try to lay out my clothes, get my coffee cup out, set my Bible out on the table, all the night before.
2. I wake up an hour earlier. I get up at 6:00 AM. It makes sense, when I go to bed at 10, 6:00 AM doesn't seem so early. I had to overcome that mental barrier.
3. I make my coffee. Apparently there is something to this. Quiet time with a cup of coffee makes everything a little easier. It's weird, but true. 
4. I have a companion text that I use as I study the Bible that includes questions. If you are interested in some resources, please contact me. There are some great ones, no matter where you are on your walk with Christ. 
5. I pray that God would speak to me and then I read the text for the day. So far, I've been able to get through Judges, 1 Peter, and now I'm in Romans. 
6. After I read through the Biblical and companion text I will deal with the discussion questions, and then
7. End with Prayer. I don't journal. It just doesn't work for me. I have a list. I have a long-term and short-term list. I add and remove freely from the short-term list. My long term list includes: my wife and children, other family members, some friends, the church, the church leadership, the church staff, our missionaries, and finally myself. Yours doesn't have to be that long. But make a list. 

That's it. Then I go get ready for my day. Now, I have to admit something to "those people" who are perky and bubbly so early in the morning. You were right. No, morning isn't the only time that works, but I am growing to believe now, after almost 40 straight days, that this has been the best for me. It has changed my attitude for my day, I am studying God's word with more alertness, I am retaining more of what I read, and, as a side perk, I am finding myself much more productive during the day. A verse keeps coming to my mind in regards to all of this. The writer of Lamentations wrote:

Because of the  Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The  Lord  is my portion;  therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24, NIV)

Try it out. I dare you. 


*I tell you all of this not to brag, but hopefully encourage some of you who struggle with a balanced quiet time. You can do this. It's not that hard. Just a little determination is all it takes. 

*Photo Credit