Give Me Jesus


In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus.

It's almost 6 a.m. and I am wide awake (my body doesn't know I have the day off)! As I lie (or is it lay? I can never get it right, ha), this song is stuck in my head. And now the wheels in my brain are turning. And now I have to ask myself: when I wake up, is my desire for Jesus?

I know way too many don't-talk-to-me-until-I've-had-my-coffee people, but how many of us are don't-talk-to-me-until-I've-had-my-Jesus people? I know it's better for some to have quiet time with Jesus in the evenings or right before bed, but I know what quiet time can do for me in the mornings. Sure, I now have the excuse that I have to leave the apartment by seven when I am used to having years of leaving at 9 a.m. or later for class. But I know that starting my day with God does my heart good: it focuses me and gives me direction for the day, and I feel more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, which means I'm slower to get angry, I am more intentional with my actions, and I communicate with God more throughout the day.

Okay, honesty moment? I have found myself reaching for my phone first thing in the morning than I do my Bible, and my Bible is on my nightstand next to the bed! My phone gets first dibs when I wake up, while my intimate time with God has lately occurred at night with a full tummy and heavy eyelids. Not good. I need to change this. Your heart is where your treasure is (Matthew 6:21), and I believe the first thing you think about in the morning is a pretty strong indicator of where your heart is. I want my heart and thoughts set on Jesus. I want to desire Him more than I desire mugs of steaming tea (I like tea) in the mornings. I want to check the Word before I check updates on my phone. I want to set my day with the right heart. Does that mean I have better days on the days I wake up and spend time with Jesus first thing? Psssh! I wish! But my responses to the tests that may come that day reflect more of the sweet aroma of the fruit of the Holy Spirit instead of the stench of my flesh.



The goal isn't to have better days. The goal isn't to become legalistic and force myself to have quiet time strictly in the mornings, because there are some days where it's better to wait until the afternoon and go to the park or sit by the lake and spend time with Jesus. The goal is to constantly transform myself to be more like Christ. The goal is to desire Him. And for me, it's hard to do at the end of the day when I am completely spent and my brain is preoccupied by my to-do list. I need to give God my undivided attention and let Him get the first fruits of my time. I need to hear my instructions for the day. I have to open up that dialogue first thing in the morning for communication throughout the day.

The things of this earth I put before time with Christ will fade, and it will only be me, Him, and eternity. I want heart to say each day, you can have all this world but give me Jesus.

Any other sisters relate? Share below!
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