Often, I’m slow to wake up in the mornings. I may be up, but the fog of sleep takes some time to wear off. Nevertheless, my commitment to the AM routine wins out, and a groggy guest welcomes the morning.
Usually, it’s the first cup of dark and smoky coffee that stirs my senses and prepares me for time with the Lord. Then, after writing in a morning journal and reading from a daily liturgy, I’m off to my study to spend time reading through and marking up Old and New Testament passages. Here, the Spirit quickens my heart and grounds me in an eternal world lived in space and time. While I don’t always have profound insights from my reading, I usually conclude with a settled spirit that prepares me for the day.
Next, I sit down in my study rocking chair and read through various books, which include Christian doctrine, puritan and early Church Father writings, and material related to engaging my wife more intentionally. Prayer follows, and I bring to the Lord various topics, people, and situations tied to the days of the week. Finally, I pray for my wife and kids and seek the Lord’s grace to be present in their day.
By this time, I’m usually awake. However, there are times–I must admit–when I am still tired. Indeed, sometimes, I want to fall back asleep and not fulfill the next part of my morning routine: physical fitness. That is to say, there are times when I wrap up my morning devotional, and I’m NOT looking forward to working out!
Maybe you’ve been there. You’re tired, it’s cold, and you don’t feel like putting in the effort to press on to your next activity or responsibility. I’ve been there…often.
However, each time I go ahead, lean in and start the physical exertion, my body and mind respond favorably.
How Does This Apply To Us Today?
The Christian life calls us into a sphere of going, as C.S. Lewis coined, “further up and further in.” In other words, stagnation in the Christian life is a contradiction.
To be a Christian implies transformation. Indeed, the apostle Paul states in Romans 8:29 that Christians are being conformed into the image of Christ: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”
It follows that part of that transformation includes our attitudes (Philippians 2:5-6), our minds (Romans 12:1-2), and our natures (1 John 4:15).
Thus, the Christian life is both a passive (God working through us: Philippians 2:13) and an active (Us working in the power of the Spirit: Philippians 2:12) endeavor pressing on to know our Lord more and more (Philippians 3:12).
How Do We Press On?
- Accountability
- Enlist friends who can hold you accountable for completing your designated priorities.
- Planning
- Schedule your week and how you plan to budget your time–even if it’s high level. I use an ideal week to establish routines and rhythms, enabling me to accomplish more than I would otherwise.
- Prayer
- Throughout the day, lift up prayers for strength, wisdom, and faithfulness. God is with you.
And so, we press on…!
— November 2, 2023