I’ve always been an early riser. And that does not mean that I don’t sleep in. I often get up between 3:30 am and 4:00 am and read. Pray. Drink coffee. Ponder. Write.
Years ago I read a life impacting statement addressed to people like me who ‘are not good sleepers.’ What does that mean? The comment was ‘consider moving from complaining about the lack of sleep you’re getting to thanking God for the sleep that you did get.’
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 NLT
So, as I began the process of moving from angst to thanks, an interesting metamorphosis began happening in my life. I worried less and wondered more. I survived what life threw at me by surrendering my life to the truth that I am not in control. I gained by taking steps back and accepting a life plan that my Father in Heaven had created for me before time began. Recognizing that an eternal God, the ‘I Am’ has never had a beginning and will never know an end. Understanding that He, God, created the concept of time for his beloved children as they toiled under the sun.
“So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 NLT
When I was 26 years old I was asked by a mentor at the time what my 10-year plan was. Heavy emphasis here on “what MY plan was.” I had just been hired with the title of National Sales Manager for a company that had zero salespeople. (There’s an entrepreneurial lesson here. When you can’t dangle big money, award big titles.). I quickly said that I want to be a company VP within 5 years, a company president within 10 years and have equity within a company within 15 years. To which my mention at the time scoffed and said; “Good luck! Do you know how hard that is?”” I did not. And at age 33, I was president of a company with a 25% equity stake. And zero identity! I was miserable.
As I read those life-altering words that began a sea change in my life, little did I know that 25 years later the corporate boardrooms would be replaced with beautifully quiet mornings. That rushing to the airport for yet another flight leading to another fleeting deal done would surrender to the expectations of what the Father had for me this new day. That the lie of an identity of business owner/president/consultant would become the identity assigned to me before time began of God’s son; Megan’s husband; Benton, Malia & Kensley’s dad; brother to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ; source of help for those seeking their true identity; lover of hope, joy, peace, grace, mercy; grateful son of however many hours of sleep my Father in Heaven provides.
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:26-30 NKJV
Yesterday I received two offers to publish a book that I have written. I had a call with a national retailer who I am working with to put a strategic relationship in place. I trimmed around new doors that we installed in our kids rooms. I worked with an excavator on the next step in the process of getting new Lots sold in the development that I/we have been working on for several years. I texted with a friend going through significant life change because of losing a job. I spoke with a Fight Club Men Leader’s House resident about some health issues and the amazing steps that his life is taking because he has surrendered to God’s purpose. Then, at 7:15 pm my day became amazing as I ate leftover chili and a grilled-cheese sandwich with Megan and watched Family Feud, guessing and questioning the guesses to questions asked.
My morning greeting this new day was more marvelous than I can understand because God allowed me to wake and watch my beautiful wife sleeping peacefully, snoring a little (now I am in trouble), confirming God’s inexhaustible love for me because she is my life encourager and faithful partner.
Can I encourage you to replace the thinking of mundane with awareness of beauty today. Consider no longer toiling at what you are doing and live in the moments of joy that this life offers. See the beauty in where God has placed you. Replace despair with desire and seek those small, imperceptible sea changes that become life-altering, destination changers. When losing weight a good thought is it took years to put the weight on, it will take time, effort and lifestyle change to take and keep it off.
Similarly, it has taken a lifetime to get you to this point and the plans and purposes that God has for your life are in the future guided by a thing called ‘faith,’ that may take some time to be fully revealed. Accept and be joy-filled in the process. Each destination achieved begins another journey.
Today thank God for everything. Talk with him constantly. See him in all things. Seek him through His Word, by randomly reading the chapter that the Bible opens to when you allow it to flop open. Recognize that just like that chapter you read was not by chance, nor are the things that have occurred to this point in your life. Take control of your life today by surrendering your life’s tomorrow to God’s plan and the recognition that you were created by Him for purpose.
I am grateful for the sleep that God allowed me last night and for the 3:00 am wake up this morning. This is going to be a marvelous day because my Father has made it for me.
You’ve got this