Thursday of Week One
Seeking God First
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” —2 Thessalonians 3:16
You may have heard the saying, “Work hard, stay positive, and get up early.” It’s a quote often attributed to George Allen Sr., and it’s one that resonated deeply with me for many years. The idea of staying busy, constantly multi-tasking, and diligently checking off items on my to-do list felt like the key to a successful and positive day. I related productivity with purpose. Unfortunately, this often meant prayer became something I did on the go, a quick word squeezed in between activities. Rarely did I take the time to truly listen for God’s answers.
However, a Christian retreat I attended some years ago challenged me to rethink this approach. I was encouraged to set aside dedicated time each morning for quiet reflection and prayer with God. Honestly, my initial reaction was panic. The thought of getting up even earlier, of intentionally slowing down and moving into the day at a different pace, a pace that prioritized God’s presence over my to-do list, felt huge. It meant a fundamental shift in how I approached my day—a shift from rushing to resting in God.
It wasn’t easy at first. There were mornings I hit snooze, mornings I felt distracted, mornings I questioned if this was really making a difference. But I persisted, and slowly, something began to change. The power of those quiet moments with God became undeniable. He began to guide me in ways I hadn’t noticed before, providing for needs I didn’t even know I had, and strengthening me in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
And so, I encourage each of you to consider: what does your morning look like? Is it a rush to get out the door, or a time to connect with the source of all strength and grace. For me, the power of mornings spent with God has been transformative. He guides, He provides, He strengthens. His amazing grace is truly sufficient.
Author: Renee Casey
Personal Reflection:
Reflect on your daily routine. How often do you intentionally seek God first? What’s one way you can prioritize time with Him today?
Daily Action:
Encourage someone else to take a moment with God—send them a verse, invite them to church, or pray for them.
