Hello Mornings: Start StrongSample

Start Building

Here in Central Texas we have fire ants. If a daring or unaware bystander disturbs their mound, the fire ants almost immediately get to work to rebuild their home. We can learn this from these pesky, perseverant creatures: intentionality and perseverance bring growth.

Starting strong in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. But we don’t have to be content with just one day started strong. The same way puzzle pieces fit together to form a beautiful picture, our singular “strong starts” are built into a habit and lifestyle. As we build, our relationship with God matures. A strong morning routine helps us get our bearings and stay on the wise path, walking with our beloved Savior. 

I think most of us long for wisdom. Proverbs 14:1 tells us that “Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.” That short verse is powerful, isn’t it? It reminds me of the men in Matthew 7:24-27. The wise man labored and persevered and laid his foundation on solid rock, but the foolish man built on the inferior: shifting sands. When storms came, the wise man’s home stood firm while the foolish man’s home crashed. 

Every minute of every day, we’re all building something. Our choice is whether to build wisely or foolishly. Like Paul says in Philippians 3, we should choose to “count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” and “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” We have the choice to be content with our present relationship with God, or to deepen it. God desires for us to mature into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. Now that we’ve set our anchor in Him, let’s start to build, remembering to give God our best and be gracious with ourselves. 

What small steps can you take to continue building a solid morning routine and devotional time with the Lord?