But the reward of experiencing morning is totally worth it.
Really, though. I have been getting back into the routine of waking up around 5:30AM every morning (unless I've preplanned to sleep in!) so I can study the Bible, have some alone time, and exercise. It never really gets easier, I only seem to be able to build more stamina, objectively, as I wake up each morning. Every time I open my eyes and think about rolling back over in bed, I remember just how much I enjoy having the morning.
I get out of bed (not necessarily awake...), make a pot of coffee, and while the coffee is brewing, I wash the dishes. Productive, mindless activities. I then grab as much coffee as possible in the biggest mug I own, and drink up as I open the Bible and associated commentaries. After about an hour of that, and another cup of coffee, the caffeine has me ready to work out. I used to run all the time. Sometime around two Novembers ago, I really messed up my right knee. Don't know what happened, but I can only get about 1.5 miles in before there is a mind-numbing pain, like an anvil is being dropped at an awkward angle on the outside of my knee. SO, running is out. However, healthy and proper squatting has done me pretty good! I love some Jillian Michaels workouts. She's challenging no matter what level of fitness I'm at, but not horrifying or discouraging. Today I did something new with max capacity training (maxcapacitytraining.com). I kind of love it.
Anyway. Mornings.
I'm going through the book of Hebrews right now. So far this year, I have studied my way through Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mark, 1 Samuel/2 Samuel, Ezra, Galatians, and now Hebrews. I've read through several others, but only in devotional kind of times, looking for inspiration... Anyway, the sad thing is that while I have retained many of the lessons, like studying anything, I'll have to go back through all of these many times to know as much as I want to or should know. However, all of these study times have happened in the morning. By the end of the work day, I am easily distracted and have a lot of other opportunities in life (like spending time with people I love, reading a book, watching TV, going out to do something, etc). But in the mornings, what other things do we have to do? Sleep? It's not like we're going to have a girls morning out at 6 in the morning. The computer isn't turned on yet, and it's pretty easy to have self-control in not turning it on knowing I'll be spending the REST of the day in front of it (like now). So, for me, there's exercise and Bible reading. The morning is when I know I can be completely un-distracted. I mean, seriously, how many other moments of the day can you really think of that you don't have any other distractions? None, for me.
I also have this theory-- that all those people who have said things like (the late, great, Rich Mullins) "I will seek you in the morning and I will learn to walk in your ways", and (like the even greater King David, the man after God's own heart),
Psalm 5:3- In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation
Psalm 143:8 - Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 92:1-2 - A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.
Psalm 59:16- But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 88:13 - But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
Psalm 90:14- Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
and in particular,
Psalm 119:147 - I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
I've written about Psalm 119 before. We touched on it at Wilmington Island UMC Sunday night when the message was about the importance of studying the Word of God (ironic). The longest chapter, in the longest book in the Bible, written by the man known by GOD as a man after God's own heart, is about the importance of knowing the Word of God. Take a look, see.
.... in short, whether or not you are a Christian or study the Bible, waking up early has more benefits than detriments. If anything, the morning time is when you're finally going to accomplish reaching your goals and meeting resolutions.
Morning also gives me the chance to arm up for the day: Why it is important to guard your heart, posted on facebook (shared by Karen Prevatt, a life coach and extraordinary person in general, owner and operator of LivingTall, Inc.).
The end!
Have a good day everyone.
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