Good morning, my Love!

I'm not married, but I can imagine if I was, waking up in the morning would be to me like greeting the morning sunshine. I wouldn't be rushing out of bed to check my e-mail, make phone calls, or get started working on projects...I wouldn't even be rushing to get in my morning jog. I would linger...enjoying being in the presence of the one I love. I would enjoy praying together, and together planning how "we" would go about "our" day...

So it hit me a little while back....why should it be any different with my "Heavenly love"? Why do there always seem to be a thousand other "lovers" begging for my immediate attention when I wake up each morning....why is it easier to push time with my "Heavenly love" to the back burner while I take care of necessary appointments, start my laundry, make breakfast, deal with pressing business? Why am I often careless and so willing to put my "Heavenly Love" and His needs to the side, while I take care of the needs of others FIRST. In fact, it's kinda funny....because in the past I've often justified myself in doing this... after all, it's not just "my business" I am taking care of... it's HIS business too. (After all, I pretty much work in full time ministry!) So He shouldn't mind that it's taking me a little longer to get back to my devotions or time with Him...right????

Wow....how easy we can rationalize things....how easy HE can be pushed away!!!

So...thankfully God is patient and tender....and He's been drawing me back to himself and reminding me... If I wouldn't treat an earthly love this way, how can I treat Him this way?? (Melody - Let's keep your priorities straight!) So with His help, I'm recommitting my heart and time to Him....and learning to keep first things first - no matter what is on the agenda. I don't answer the phone, check my e-mail, or even start working on ministry business UNTIL I have first said "Good morning" and spent some quality time with Him! After all...how can we say we are truly "in love" if we aren't making that "love" our first priority...??

"An intensity such as never before was seen is taking possession of the world. In amusement, in moneymaking, in the contest for power, in the very struggle for existence, there is a terrible force that engrosses body, mind, and soul. In the midst of this maddening rush, God is speaking. He bids us come apart and commune with Him. "Be still and know that I am God." Many even in their seasons of devotion fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste, with hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ's loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine teacher. With their burdens they return to their work. These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting influence of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. The wearied frame and tired brain will be refreshed; the burdened heart will be lightened. Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him - this is our need." Education, p. 260

I think so often...we get stuck in the trap.... "Well, I'm doing this for God." But God says, first... "No - I don't just want your efforts, I just don't want your sacrifice at the altar... I want YOU! If I don't have YOU....nothing else can matter."

"The Christian life can only be explained in terms of Jesus Christ, and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you - your personality, your willpower, your gift, your talent, your money, your courage, your scholarship, your dedication, your sacrifice, or your anything - then although you may have the Christian life, you are not yet living it." ~ Ian Thomas