Morning Time With the Master

Optimize Your DayLife's JourneyPositive LifePurposePrayerGratitudeRise Up and Build

2 Jan

Can you believe another new year has begun? Where did the time go? As the holiday hustle and bustle ramps up, it's hard to believe 2024 has arrived. Fortunately, with the new year comes many new opportunities.

As many of you know, I'm excited to launch my new line of monthly planners and journals accompanying my Optimize Your Day program! I designed them to be uplifting and practical, helping you organize your days while keeping your eyes on Jesus. I'll share more about them in a minute.

But today, I want to discuss an even more important topic than planners and journals—beginning each day with the Lord. No matter how organized we are, everything feels off-kilter if we fail to put God first. When we don't consult Him about our schedules and acknowledge our reliance on Him for the day ahead, disorder and stress rule.

King David said it best: "In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up" (Psalm 5:3). What a great motto to live by! Before our feet hit the floor, we must look up and direct our prayers God-ward. Seeking Him first thing infuses peace and purpose into our days.

When we commence each morning with the Lord, it changes our perspective. We're reminded that He is in control, not our schedules or task lists. We recall that He has ordained this day and every minute we're given. Starting with prayer, gratitude, and Scripture aligns our hearts with His.

My friend, I’ve rushed into my day too many mornings without first sitting at Jesus' feet. I grab my phone, peruse social media, or start on chores in a frenzy. But the days I linger over my Bible, pouring out my heart to Him, always go smoother. His presence steadies me. His wisdom guides me. His joy lifts me. Communicating with Christ makes everything better.

I pray that these new planners and journals I’ve launched for this new year will help us cultivate the habit of starting our days with the Lord. But more than that, I hope we’ll make it a priority with or without a journal. Let’s talk to Jesus as soon as our eyes open and drink deeply from the refreshing waters of His Word before anything else. He is the wellspring of life! Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).

No matter what lies ahead today, walking with the Master will make the journey lighter and brighter. May we reflect on God's faithfulness each morning, asking Him to direct our steps. There is no better way to begin. As the Psalmist said, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (118:24). Amen!