Motivating Your Morning
What's the shortest book of the bible I can read today and still feel good about myself? How little can I study, but still pass? How little can I give for this Sunday's offering? How little can I participate in this group project? What if I lived life to the fullest? What if I really gave it all? What would my life look like? How would things be different? I think my problem starts in the mornings; I wake up wanting to go back to sleep instead of carpe dieming the day.
I was listening to Joyce Meyer yesterday and she said something that inspired me, "I wake up, get my coffee and head for God." I don't want to wake up loving life for my own sake, I want to wake up loving life for God. I want my joy to overflow into others. So naturally, like any woman, I made a list; a list of things I can do to start the day off right.
1. Have a reason for waking up.
2. Read the bible every morning, especially mornings you don't want to.
3. Look your best.
4. Don't hit the snooze button.
5. Eat breakfast.
6. Think about someone you can love on.
7. Pray for others constantly.
Now for explanations, tricks, etc:
#1 HAVE A REASON FOR WAKING UP.
This can be different daily, but if you cannot think of one read Galatians 2:20:
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
#2 READ THE BIBLE EVERY MORNING
Start the day off in the word. Reflect on things that are true. This takes dedication and self control, but in the end it makes your day better. The psalmist says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." [Psalm 119:105] Let God light up your day!
#3 LOOK YOUR BEST
So many times I leave the house feeling self-conscious. If I woke up earlier and did my hair and makeup the way I want to, I would feel more confident. It is not about outer-beauty, but if we feel confident we are more likely to be bold in our faith. The end goal is to be confident in self because of what God has given you, giving Him all the glory. Read Psalm 139:13-14, For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
#4 DON'T HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON
You set a time to wake up, so just do it! You're not going to fall back asleep in 5 minutes, and it's not gonna make you feel better. Upon waking up remember 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Who you were yesterday is gone, wake up, be who you want to be today. Don't dwell on the past.
#5 EAT BREAKFAST
If you eat breakfast you won't spend the rest of your morning thinking about how hungry you are.
#6 THINK ABOUT SOMEONE WHOM YOU CAN LOVE ON
Could be a co-worker, family member, neighbor, or a stranger. Think about going out of your way to help someone else. Even if you aren't able to accomplish the task you spend your morning thinking about someone else. Mornings are a very self-centered time. Try thinking of a friend who you can do a nice thing for that day.
#7 PRAY FOR OTHERS CONSTANTLY
Below is my daily prayer routine. The top section is things I commit to praying for every day. For example, the government, and my boyfriend Lucas. The next section is things I pray for on a certain day of the week. I picked some categories and each day of the week I pray for a different friend, church, school, etc. The last section is a fundamental part of it being a DAILY prayer routine. The mundane tasks that I listed will be accompanied by the prayers. When I brush my teeth I pray for my friends. When I'm putting on my makeup I pray for the Churches. When I'm driving I pray for issues around the world and local schools. When I'm in the shower I pray for family members, When I do the dishes or laundry I pray for my mentors. A great way turn the "normal" into Kingdom thinking. {Taken from Dave Becker at Freshwater Church. Listen to the Foundations-Prayer Podcast here.}