“Early In The Morning” by Guest Writer: Chiazo Violet Obiudu

There are only a few things that I find as calming as the gentle whispers of an early morning breeze. I cherish those first hours of dawn when the sky is still a deep blue with an occasional star hovering above; before the kids, the rest of the world and all my anxieties wake up; when it’s just me, the crickets and a few early birds. And my King. Standing outside, I’d savor the crisp air and breathe a word of praise to Him,

“Lord, You are so lovely!”

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Psalm 63:1 KJV.

But I don’t always get to enjoy that, because I’m not quite the early bird myself. Most days, I struggle to get out of bed at a decent hour. And when I finally get to leave the bed, after a few snoozed alarms, I dive headlong into the day’s activities, hustling to make up for lost time.

I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Sure, my family gathers in the living room each morning for a joint devotion and prayer time, but as a mother, I feel I should be showing a better example: rising early before others, quietly getting everything and everyone ready for the day with enough time to spare, being punctual every time. However, beyond that, another thing that being a ‘late-morning’ person robs me of is that vital quiet time to begin the day with God.

Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the Lord’s presence. Genesis 19:27 NLT.

Like Abraham, our first order of business, that one thing we should rush into, should be the presence of God. Of course, having your quiet time at a specific time, like early in the morning, is not set in stone. But pausing within those first few minutes we open our eyes to a new day, waiting in the presence of God, alone with Him, is a gift. It is waiting to receive power to gladly face the day. Because without Him, the odds are higher that among other things, it will not be such a good day.

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 ESV.

It’s not just about waiting for the sake of it, repeating another familiar ritual: read a verse, sing some songs, dump our never-ending requests on Him. It’s not as much a ‘doing’ as it is a ‘being’: being alone with Him, being one with Him. Worshiping Him in the beauty of His Holiness and enjoying the privilege of being in His presence, fills us with overflowing joy and peace.

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NASB.

And in this world, in these times, we need that peace and courage too, more than ever. Each day we step out to face the world, it’s often like venturing into a minefield: angry drivers, mean bosses, irate customers and clients, even trolls and haters online. And at home, it isn’t a walk in the park, either.

We need all the help we can get to get through each day, not just in one piece, but with a smile, a real heart-felt smile, on our faces. And who better to help us than He who faced the worst of the world, paid the ultimate price in what should have been the worst day of His life, and yet, calls it a Good Friday.

CHIAZO VIOLET OBIUDU

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 ESV.

Being with Him at the start of each new day gives us an assurance that no matter what the day brings, He has got our backs, and He’s on our side. He’s in front too, guiding us, leading us gently in His way.

We thank you, Chiazo, for your inspiring and uplifting words in this publication of Titus-two.com. Your faithfulness to women’s ministries around the world is well appreciated and a blessing to all of us.

You are loved to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary