EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Does the early bird get the worm?
My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. (Is. 26:9a, NIV)
An impressive list of early risers are among some of the most successful people:
Benjamin Franklin said “early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” (and he was!!!)
Rachel Ray, known for her 30-Minute Meals on the Food Network, says after years of having to get up early, she now automatically wakes at 0600 each morning.
Condoleeza Rice, Former U.S. Secretary of State, woke up at 4:30 a.m. to get to the gym and to work on time.
Even in exile, Napoleon, the well-known French leader rose early. Mostly to dress himself for the day but…
John Grisham, Lawyer/Author, would start his day around 5 a.m.
Abraham rose early to check on the destruction of Sodom. (Gen. 19:27)
David said, “I rise before dawn and cry for help.” (Psm. 119:147)
Jesus got up… “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark … and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
I could find no information on whether C.S. Lewis rose early or not, but this quote from Mere Christianity makes my point:
“It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.”
My hubby (Bert) and I are early risers now. Habit mostly. But it wasn’t always that way. When I worked the evening shift at the hospital, I’d walk through the front door of our home around 12:30 a.m. Bert and the children were all sound asleep, the house was quiet, and peace reigned. I found it was the perfect time to read the Bible, talk with the Lord, and listen to what He had to say to me.
Whether we set aside an early morning or late-night hour to spend with the Lord isn’t at issue. What matters to Him is that we dedicate time to seek Him, enjoy His company, and grow in Him.
What’s your favorite time of day to spend with the Lord?
I do my Bible reading and prayer time in the morning when the day is fresh. However, the time I get up in the morning varies, but it's never really early unless I have to. I'm most content staying up to midnight and getting up at 8:00 am, but that only works in the summers. My husband who rises at 4:30 has difficulty understanding how I could possibly consider my getting up at 6:45 am for work as early.
I am not a morning person, even when I am up early. It takes me half the morning to wake up....but I still have my quiet time with the Lord first thing. Without it, the day is half lost before it even begins!