morning warm up

There are so many things that are so important to student athletes. They have rituals and things that they do each day before practices and before games. There is a time of stretching, and preparing each muscle for competition that day. They stretch everything from their calves and achilles all the way up to their shoulders and neck. Each part must be properly stretched to avoid injury, but also to prepare them for the next few hours of movement.
As Christians we should prepare our hearts and minds for each day. We should go through a "warm up" period each morning getting ourselves ready for the day. We all know that Romans tells us to renew our minds daily, and I believe the best time of the day for this is in the early morning. Each person is different, but I just don't think I can face any part of my day without some quiet time in God's presence. I will admit that there are days where I need a double dose and squeeze in some alone time with God around lunch time or in the afternoon between work and softball practice. We need to see the importance of preparing our minds for the day. We will no doubt face obstacles to our faith, things that can trigger old sins, things that can set off our tempers or even things that can become huge stumbling blocks and unless we ask GOd to guard, guide and direct us for the day we will falter.
Psalm 143:8 "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. how me the way I should go, for you I lift up my soul."
Can't you just see David's desparation, it's not the kind of desparation we go to God with. Like when we are about to get news from a doctor, have a medical procedure done or take a test at school. No, David is desparate for God to guide his day and to experience God's love all over again. The morning is a time where we can be most close to God because we have recently experienced our most humble moments of the day, sleep. That's right when we sleep we are no longer thinking we are in charge. We aren't controlling our breathing, our thoughts, or even our movements for teh most part, everything done in your sleep is subconscience at work. THat is when we are most humble and most under God's leading.
This is another reason why we should start our day off seeking God. At work, school or play we have pride issues that make us think we are in control. At sleep, we are completely out of control.
So step it up, spend time alone with God each morning and ask HIm to guide and direct your day. Start it out seeking Him, and follow Him through the day, the week and your life!
Thanks for reading and have a great day!