Work at it

I rarely get out of bed saying, “Praise God, it’s morning.”  I tend to wake up saying, “Oh Lord, it’s morning…how can it already be time to get up.”  The days that I have to get up at 4 am or earlier are never easy for me and it is usually at least two cups of coffee before I can even adjust my eyes to see or my ears to hear.

Here is the thing that I have discovered…it is true, in the past I’ve gone through the motions, I’ve read my daily reading, my devotion, and muttered a few prayers, and walked away thinking I’d gotten more out of an extra hour of sleep.  I know that doesn’t sound spiritual, pastoral, or even Christian, but it’s true.

I haven’t had a time like that in a long time.  I’ve discovered some things…first, I ask God to show me His glory in what I read.  I tend to see His glory better in Psalms than I do in Deuteronomy, but it is amazing where His glory just pops out and “WOWs” me!
When you are looking for His glory, when you are praying as you read, and when you are desperate for His path…things just change.

They say wine gets better with age…I’m not sure about that…I have no theological problem with wine, but I do have a taste bud problem with it!  I do know this…relationships get better or worse with time…it all depends on the work you put into it.

My relationship with Kim is deeper now than it was when we met.  We are both passionate arguers!  But we love each other, and I really enjoy time with her.  Our relationship teaches me about my relationship with God.

I know that seems backwards, but it is true…if we get busy, if we let the ministry take over, sooner or later we get a little colder, shorter with one another, and the fellowship isn’t good.  I’ve found, there are always people to see, meetings to attend, ministry to do…there is simply not enough time to do it, but I have to learn to say that’s it…turn off the light and go home.
The same is true of God.  If I let work dominate my schedule, the internet dominate my free time and fill up my day with business I will find myself spiritually dry.  My relationship is secure, but my fellowship is cold.

How do we combat this?  TIME.  Years ago, I read the following, if the devil can’t make you bad, he will make you busy.  That’s true…it is true in marriage…my marriage to Kim and my marriage to the Father.