416. Alone With God

“We’ve talked about this before,” I began, “but I’m still not sure about how and why you get up so early in the morning to spend time with God.”

“The why,” Stan responded, “is rooted in two things.  I think that is what God wants.  And I know that is what Jesus did when He was here.”

“The part of how that came about is a bit more complicated,” Stan said with a smile.  “As we have focused on before, it took me a long time after I became a Christian to develop the desire to want to spend time alone with God each day.  But once I was open to having God begin the process, when I responded to what He was showing me, God stepped in big time to help me in wanting to spend time alone with Him each morning.”

Continuing, he said, “God wakes me in the early dark of each new day with an excitement to go spend time with Him alone.  It is like He says, ‘Let’s go.  I have some things I want to show you this morning’.”

“But,” I responded, “don’t you find that you would really rather stay in the warm bed and get some more sleep?”

“Never,” Stan replied, and then added, “however, I do recognize and accept that what God has for me may not be what He has for everyone.”

Continuing, he said, “But I am equally certain that my time alone with God each morning has had such an impact on my relationship with Him that I would like it for everyone.  But that’s not up to me. It’s up to each person as they sense what God has for them.”

Concluding, Stan said, “I talk to a lot of people about developing a love for spending the early morning with the Lord God of the universe. As they are open, I try to encourage them to give it a try.  I think you would be surprised with the number of those who have come to love it as I do!”

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And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He (Jesus) arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there.  Mark 1:35.

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, that you want me to spend time alone with you so I can hear and listen to what you have to say to me.  Thank you that you want to share with me what is on your heart.  I confess there are times when I do not listen as I should, times when I choose to listen to the voice of self, rather that to you.  Please forgive me.  And please lead me exactly as you want, and help me to follow, in choosing to spend the time with you that you want.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.