Motivate Me Monday ~ Morning Glory

As part of the 5:16 AM club, I am committed to getting up early and spending time with the Lord before starting my day. The first week I did this, I prayed every night and the Lord got me up every morning without much struggle - it was amazing for me (Miss Extreme Night Owl). This week and last week, I have really struggled with getting up. I had all the usual excuses - too busy, too tired, stayed up too late. But I realized that the real difference was that I didn't make it as important of a commitment...and...I wasn't praying for God to help me stay committed and to help me wake up early! I made the mistake that we sinners so often make - I tried to rely on myself instead of depending on God.

So, I am back to working on motivating myself to get up bright and early and will rely on the Lord to help me do it. If you are struggling with this right now, I encourage you to simply ask the Lord for help. Be encouraged - it can be done! Don't give up!

And though you can spend time with the Lord any time of day, I still like the idea of starting the morning with Him. I found this entry several days ago in my devotional (Streams in the Desert) and was motivated to keep trying to make my time for the Lord in the morning:

First, a beautiful description of the glory of morning by George MacDonald:

"Have you ever risen early, climbed a hill, and watched God make a morning? The dull gray gives way as He pushes the sun toward the horizon, and then the tints and hues of every color begin to blend into one perfect light as the full sun suddenly bursts into view. As king of the day, the sun moves majestically across the sky, flooding the earth and every deep valley with glorious light. At this point, you can hear the music of heaven's choir as it sings of the majesty of God Himself and of the glory of the morning."

And this poem from the same day in the devotional fits our club nicely:

"In the early morning hours,
'Twixt the night and day,
While from earth the darkness passes
Silently away;

Then it's sweet to talk with Jesus
In your bedroom still--
For the coming day and duties
Ask to know His will.

Then He'll lead the way before you,
Laying mountains low;
Making desert places blossom,
Sweet'ning sorrow's flow.

Do you want a life of triumph,
Victory all the way?
Then put God in the beginning
Of each coming day."

As I finish typing this post on a cold and rainy morning, the rain has recently stopped and the sun just started shining - glorious! I hope that even if the sun isn't shining where you are, the Lord will put sunshine in your heart today!

Have a blessed, motivating Monday!

Please stop by Like a Warm Cup of Coffee for Motivate Me Monday and be inspired!

Lisa :)