I have a passion for hiking. While lying in bed, I think of the different trails and plan the next route. I can’t wait to get out in God’s beauty and share it with others. At the end of a good hike, I am so relaxed and pleased with the combination of friendship and the awestruck wonder of seeing the Artist’s palette of creativity.
My plan for getting up extra early is to spend quiet time in God's word and in prayer before heading out. Often, as I was engrossed in the Bible, I found I was rushing to get ready for my hike. Being the organizer, showing up late is not an option. I decided to start getting cleaned up and ready for my hike first, then getting into the Word. As the days went by, other things started making their way into my minutes of getting ready, such as looking at email (just in case any attendees had last minute questions), looking at trail maps, getting hooked by something on the internet. ‘Just a moment’ here and there in other things resulted in rushing to my quiet time with God prior to leaving. I realize how easily the world can distract me! I’ve got to take audit again of my morning time, be disciplined and not cut my time short with God. I know how wonderful that morning time with God is, so why do I let this happen?
Today, I planned a hike that is rare – we will be walking along a beautiful creek that is quite full after park Rangers let water out of the damn from the rains. It's not often we get to be by water. I have 12 people signed up to attend that I will be guiding on different trails. As the time to leave is near, instead of going to the chapter in Revelation I am studying, I grab a daily devotional book, “With God on the Hiking Trail” by Nathan Chapman. My thought was "this won't take long and I will still get a little study in". My bookmark was on a page titled, “The Forever River” with Psalm 42:1; “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” I laughed. God is so funny how He speaks to us sometimes - so clearly, so gently; He reminds me how much I need Him. I may have been hurried, but He met me where I am. He forgives me for my shortcomings. He is a gracious God. He is so good!
“Lord, forgive me for my weaknesses. Help me to be disciplined and not get so distracted as to cut our time short. Help me to give my first fruits to you. Thank you for your grace, Lord. Thank you for your beauty. Thank you for this awesome day. As I walk the trails today, help me to be a good witness for you.” Amen
Perhaps you feel guilty that you don't get enough alone time with God, or you should be doing this or that for God. It's hard to get up early; it's easy to get distracted and the list goes on. Pray for discipline and desire. If time gets away, don't beat yourself up; grab the moments when and where you can. He will meet you where you are. He totally loves you.
"Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Psalm 136:2 (ESV)
