“Sow your seed in the morning.” Ecclesiastes 11:6 (NAS)
The mother of all time management principles is summed up in this verse. It was penned nearly 3000 years ago by King Solomon, one of the wisest and most accomplished men who ever lived. History has confirmed the wisdom of these words and many similar sayings have worked their way into our everyday vocabulary since that time. “Make hay while the sun shines.” – John Heywood 1546. “The early bird gets the worm.” – John Ray 1670. “He who hesitates is lost.” – Joseph Addison 1713. And last but not least “Big rocks first!” popularized most recently by Steven Covey’s “first things first” principle.
What all these sayings have in common is this. Each new day dawns streaming with bright potential through windows of opportunity, but we must use it or we’ll lose it.
When the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years God fed them every morning with manna. But only the early gatherers benefited from it. Those who waited until later in the morning found that it had melted when the sun came up. The principle is the same here with regard to sowing in the morning. We must either use the seed that God has given us when we have the opportunity, or we will end up squandering it or losing it.
Nothing says potential like a seed. It contains all the ingredients necessary for success and fruitfulness. But it must be planted if it is ever going to fulfill its potential. The most valuable seeds that anyone can plant are spiritual ones. They are the seeds of God’s Word that are meant to be planted in the heart. These seeds of eternal truth, when watered through prayer and obedience promise to produce a rich harvest of righteousness.
One of the best illustrations of morning seed sowing comes from the life of King David, whom God Himself called “a man after His own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:4) David made a commitment to spend time with God at the start of each new day. “In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” (Psalm 5:3)
How you begin the day is a big determiner of whether or not you will win the day. And there is no better way to win a day than to begin it with God.
As we begin a New Year, will you join me in making a seed sowing commitment into a morning time with God?
Here are 4 things that will help you realize your morning potential.
- Make a No Bible, No Breakfast commitment.
- Select a bible reading plan that works for you and stick with it. These websites have a variety of plans to choose from. You Version and Search God’s Word
- Start a prayer journal to keep you on track. How to Start a Spiritual Journal & 7 Reasons to Keep a Spiritual Journal
- Pray this prayer at the start of every day.
“Lord God Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me safely to this NEW day. Preserve me with your mighty power that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen” (Taken from the Office of Dawn in the Divine Hours.)
Can share any tips that you have learned are helpful in sowing seed in the morning?
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I use the “Coffee + Bible” principle. 🙂 My brain is no good before breakfast, but I like to sit and read the Bible with my coffee after breakfast. I plan on reading through the old testament again, this time with my new Chronological Bible. I especially want to take time with Isaiah–any suggestions for help with that book? It seems so complicated.
My “spiritual journal” is just a notebook that I write in each time I read the Bible. I write down what I read, and any thoughts I have about the passage. I always write down something–it forces me to really think about the passage. In the margins I’m always jotting down the names of people I want to remember to pray for–and I doodle a lot while I pray–keeps me focused 🙂
I also try to remember to say a quick prayer of thanks each morning before I get out of bed. I am truly grateful for each new day!!
Thanks for another wonderful post–these are some good, practical helps for the new year!
Tina
Tina – Thank you for your insights into starting the day with Jesus. I love your “Coffee & Bible” principle and how you use your spiritual journal. Your post is such a great illustration of how “one size doesn’t fit all” when it comes to spiritual disciplines and practices. It is never so much about “how” as it is about the “just do it!” The way in which you have adapted your morning rountine to fit who you are will certainly be an inspiration to many.
Regarding the reading of Isaiah – A good study Bible with copious footnotes and cross references is alway helpful. Also any commentaries on the book from websites like http://biblos.com/ or http://www.searchgodsword.org/ will give great info. A good place to start are the tried and true commentaries by the likes of Matthew Henry and John Gill.
🙂 !? It’s a reflex. Before my brain comes fully conscious, as I hit the alarm buzz…”THANK YOU” pops up and out from my sleepy heat to and through my lips. As I move on to prepare coffee for me and my community of sisters, the litany of gratitude blurts itself out: t.y. for sleep, and warm bed and cool morning breeze and for ALL and more…. grateful is how I awake. 🙂 ♥ Michelle
Thanks for your “grateful” reply!!!