Hard Habit To Start

Psalm 42:2, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

Five months ago, I made myself a promise—to read the Bible every day this year. I bought a Daily Message Bible and committed to read it first thing every morning. In order to be faithful to this commitment, I had to make this a priority above all the other things I used to enjoy doing in the morning. This meant that I would not get online to check emails or read blogs, or start my daily household chores, or sleep a few precious extra minutes. I had to make this the first thing I did every day—and I had to keep doing it to make it a habit.

The first few days were hard. I didn’t want to get up earlier in order to read my Bible. I didn’t want to be held accountable if I didn’t “feel” like doing it. I found myself looking back at the days when I could just get up and jump online without feeling guilty. I found myself thinking, “Why did I get myself into this?”

And then I remembered. I had had a horrifying moment when I realized that, in all the busyness of life, I had lost my connection to Jesus Christ. I had stopped abiding in Him. I had broken off in daily fellowship with Him through consistent prayer and time in His Word. All of the demands on me had caused me to tell God I would just have to get to Him “later.” I had allowed my lifestyle to dictate my spirituality. I decided to become more intentional about reconnecting with my Savior and His Father. I knew I needed to do whatever it took to make sure I didn’t allow this disconnect to ever happen again in my life. This was not a moment about guilt and obligation—far from it—this was a brokenhearted time of grieving over what I was missing.

From that moment on, I began to do the things I knew from experience would help me stay connected. I purchased a Bible that was written in a translation I could read with ease and that was divided into easily readable increments. I read Christian books that inspired me. I turned on praise music in my house and cranked up the volume. I spent time praying every day—shutting out all the noise and demands in my life so that I could focus on God. I learned anew what it means to listen for God’s voice, and then to take that important second step by actively responding to His voice.

This was a process I submitted myself to willingly, through no provocation save the urging of the Holy Spirit. I offered all I had—including my limitations—up to God, knowing that He sees my heart as the very basis of it all. He sees me doing the best I can with what I have been given. He knows exactly where I am, as He is the One who placed me here. Some days I have done better than others as I have established this habit in my life. And I know that He knows that and loves me any way, even on the days I fall short. Especially on the days I fall short.

This morning I woke up on my own just as dawn’s light was streaking the sky. I sat up and reached for my Bible, anticipating what God would say to me, savoring the precious moments I have with Him before life unfolds as it does every day. What was once so difficult for me to make happen is now a joy and a delight in my life. I no longer have to force myself to spend time with God—it has become a habit that is as much a part of my day as breathing. I hunger and thirst for His Word. I need it like I need air. It is the most important part of my day—and I am so grateful He waited for me to figure that out, and was right there waiting patiently when I came running back to Him.

Are you finding regular time with God a hard habit to start? Begin where you are with what you have. Commit to do whatever it takes to carve out time with God—including getting up fifteen minutes earlier, or finding creative ways throughout your day to focus on Him. Once you form this habit, you will be so happy that you did as you experience the blessings and peace of a consistent walk with God.

Author’s Note: I wrote this to hopefully encourage another woman out there who feels too busy and overwhelmed to have a quiet time. Quite simply, I know that if I can make this happen, anyone can! The simple fact is, you have to persevere and keep on making it a priority and it will become a habit. I have been amazed at how much I now enjoy getting up a bit early to spend time with God—something I used to say was physically impossible!