Win the Morning
"Win the morning and you'll win the day."
If you examine the lives of many successful women and men you'll find the quote above to be true in their lives. This is because at the beginning of each day you get to decide who will govern your day, your mind/will/spirit, or your body. On those days that I wake up and decide, for example, to skip the run that I planned on doing so I can sleep in, the rest of my day often feels lethargic, I feel like I'm always behind. When I force my body to put on my running gear and do what I tell it to do, the rest of the day feels productive.
The same is obviously true of spiritual formation. The disciple of Jesus must win the morning.
I've been practicing different things to help me win the morning, and surrender my life to God (this includes physical exercise). Here, I'd like to share an easy one that has been very effective.
Every morning when I wake up I will write in my journal or go to a mirror, look myself in the eye, and say, "Today I entrust myself into your hands, oh Lord. You are (here I will list certain attributes of God, it's not the same every day) all-knowing, abundant in love, full of mercy and truth, all-mighty, generous in dispensing grace, and in your hands I am an instrument of righteousness."
The reason I look myself in the eye is not because I'm praying to myself, but because I'm commanding myself. I will then take some time to visualize myself as an instrument in God's hand. Perhaps I am a sword to combat wickedness, or a spoon to relieve hunger, or a toilet bowl brush to bring cleanliness. The kind of instrument matters not, what matters is that I enter into my day as one who has surrendered to the will of God.
Throughout my day I will remind myself of my morning mantra, and if I feel myself straying from that posture I will pray, for example, "Lord, I have this desire to please people. I entrust it to your care, please transform it into something that glorifies you." After doing this I discover the grace to surrender once again.I encourage you to find a practice that will help you walk in the will of God throughout the day. If the one I use is helpful, to God be the glory.
Remember, it begins in the morning.
"Win the morning and you'll win the day."