Each morning I wake up a little earlier than I need to, because I like to ease into the day. I don’t like being rushed and I don’t like just jumping into a day. I can’t stand the snooze button on the alarm clock because I lose valuable time to just be. Truth be told, I rarely use an alarm clock anymore. I plan to do something valuable with each day - whether it’s to catch up on the laundry, bake some homemade goodies, go a little above and beyond in the cleaning, or write something that you will hopefully bless someone.
The fact of the matter is, though, that those things don’t often get done. I get sidetracked by an email from school or a call that must be made, I forget to eat breakfast and so I have to stop and get back into the routine. If you’re anything like me, you probably find yourself in the same kind of situation - juggling schedules, longing for routine, forgetting a meal, trying to do all the good things. So today, let’s step way back - back to the basics.
Dear friend, in all our schedule-shuffling, meal-making, and life-living, we need to check and make sure our foundation is solid. Today’s that day. If we do nothing else today, we will check for a solid foundation, and that will be enough! It won’t take long, but it will be so valuable for today, tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.
First, whose day is this?
This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
-Psalm 118:24
When we pause and remember that this is God’s day, that He has created it for us, we can find a renewed sense of purpose and direction. As God what His plan is for you in this particular day.
Second, who loves you?
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
-Jeremiah 31:3
Do you understand that? God, the Father, the Creator. He loves us. HE loves us. He LOVES us. He loves US. No matter what we’re waking up to face on any given day, we have God’s love to strengthen us. God woke us up today for a reason, and whatever that is, His love will carry us through His plans for us today.
Third, who do you love?
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
-Matthew 22:37-39
There’s a beautiful acronym for the order in which we ought to love. When you follow this simple acronym, you get JOY.
J - Jesus first
O - Others next
Y - Yourself last
Do you have JOY? If not, check whether you are loving in the correct order.
For today, just back to the basics, because sometimes we all need that reminder to check that our foundation is solid.
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