In the First Waking Moments

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Proverbs 8:17 CSB

 What happens when you first have an awareness of waking up in the morning? To where or what does your mind turn? A dream you had? Your overfull to-do list? Your cell phone? Your current crisis? Your work commute in heavy traffic? Your health concern? I’d have to answer yes to all of these at one time or another. 

But what if we shifted that initial focus? What if, in those first waking moments, as Oswald Chambers suggests, we "fling the door wide back and let God in?” Imagine the transformative power if our very first awareness was of God's presence, remembering that He is intimately involved in every detail of our lives, from the grandest challenges to the smallest items on our to-do list.

This isn't about adding another task to an already overflowing schedule. It's about a redirection of the heart. Whether you dedicate five minutes or sixty, the crucial element is where your heart turns. Beginning your day by acknowledging God's care and guidance ensures that His presence isn't an afterthought, something we only remember at night's end.

Consider the profound impact if everything others observed in us bore the stamp of God's presence. What a powerful reminder it would be to us, too, that nothing that unfolds in our day is accidental, but rather part of His divine purpose. This turning to God in the morning allows us to approach our day not in our own strength, but with the assurance that He will show us how to navigate each challenge and opportunity He places before us.

Let's commit to redirecting our initial awareness each morning. Instead of immediately dwelling on "what's on our plate," let's turn our hearts upward, anticipating how God will show up and empower us.

Lord, help me open wide the door to my heart and life to you today and every day! May my life permeate the world around me so people see You.

Chris Adams