I like to start every day with a quiet time of meeting with the LORD. Many years ago, the LORD asked me to meet with Him at 4am…yes, 4:00 in the morning! It really is my favorite thing - to rise early, before the sun has even thought of rising for the day, while nearly every man and beast sleeps, and sneak off to linger with the Lord for a couple of hours before the day begins.

And, if I’m honest, some seasons seem to strain my resolve and my ability to get up that early. Perhaps it is just the laziness of my flesh which wants to stay snuggled in my warm bed until a more reasonable hour. Perhaps it is because I fail to prioritize getting to bed on time or don’t submit to the authority of my alarm clock. Whatever the reason – or excuse – I still deeply desire this time and also struggle some days to make it happen. Some days I even throw myself a little excuse-laden pity party…“but God, other people don’t have to have their quiet time at 4am!” 

I have been in that season lately.

On top of that, yesterday was a hard day. A challenge at work and an argument with my husband sent me to bed with a troubled mind and a heavy heart. So, I went to bed asking that the Lord show me my errors, help me crucify my flesh, and make me more like Jesus. (Have I mentioned that He is so faithful, even when we don’t deserve it!)

Today, my beautiful Lord woke me early, before my alarm clock could even chime. He so gently but clearly reminded me it was time to meet. So, we snuck off together just before 4am to my quiet time closet – a literal closet into which my husband installed a desk for my meetings with God. I no more than sat down when I was reminded of the passage found in Mark 1:35 (NIV):

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

I have read that passage dozens of times before, but it has not been in my mind for some time. I love how kind, gentle, and faithful God is. He heard my heart and my prayer.

He faithfully woke me up and then reminded me that He is making me like Jesus, after all. The call to meet very early in the morning is not an unjust punishment, it is a beautiful emulation of Jesus’ own practice. Oh, I will certainly fall short some days – and my heart and flesh have a very long way to go to even resemble my Jesus. Yet today I got a glimpse that I am a work in progress which He has not forgotten.

And I remembered afresh that my early morning time with Him in the secret place is always the most worthwhile part of my day. 

When is the Lord calling you to meet?