A few years ago, I decided to make a habit of directing my first intentional words of the day to God. It took a while to remember to do this consistently. The alarm clock rang, I’d shake off an automatic groan, and as my thoughts swirled through what lay ahead in the day, I’d have to remind myself, Stop. Remember God. Say good morning to God.
“Good morning, Lord. I love you. I am yours today. Oh, and I love you.”
It’s not a grand offering, but these words are the first fruits of my day. And over time, this little devotional practice has become as automatic for me as yawning.
I want to look to God first when I rise, and last when I lie down at night. I want to bookend my days as the psalmist does, starting with, “In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice. In the morning I will order my prayer to you and eagerly watch” (Psalms 5:3), and closing with, “When I remember you on my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches” (Psalms 63:6).
Christ is the Alpha and Omega. If we want our lives to resemble his, it helps to begin and end each day by looking to him.
