Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day in this Journey called “Life”, and there couldn’t be a better way to welcome it in than in the Presence of a Mighty God. It’s here that I receive my Instructions, and it’s here that I Grow. It’s here that I count my Blessings, and it’s here that I receive my Marching Orders. Stepping into His presence each morning from this old farm isn’t my habit or my “routine”. It isn’t what I do because it’s what I’m supposed to be doing or because it’s a great view. It isn’t what I do out of a sense of obligation or legalism. It’s what I do out of LOVE FOR HIM. He’s my Father, and I’m His child, and there aren’t words to describe the Richness that consumes my Heart because of our Time together. I deeply miss my loved ones when we’re apart, that’s for sure, but nothing compares to how much I miss the Living God when I don’t have time with Him. Isn’t that what the Journey of Faith is like for you, too?

It’s easy to proclaim that “God is there” and to rest on that assurance in life as if speaking it is enough. He IS always there. He’s a part of everything we are. He’s omnipresent, and He’s omnipotent. He’s the Beginning and the End. But even though we acknowledge that “He is always there”, there is no comparison and no replacement for building a Relationship with Him by giving Him our Time and Attention. It’s in those quiet times that He shows His love in a more personal way, and it’s in those quiet times that He illuminates His Word. It’s in those quiet times that we hear His voice deep within the Soul and we feel His Promptings for our Direction. It’s in those quiet times that the Heart is humbled and the wrongs revealed, and it’s in those quiet times that we get them made right with Him. It’s in those quiet times that our wounds are healed, and it’s in those times that we learn to forgive. It’s in those quiet times that His Word moves from just being a “good book” to being the ONLY Book that can read us because it has Supernatural Life. It’s in those quiet times that we weep over the condition of our lives or we weep with Joy over our Purpose. It’s in those quiet times that we find our Humility, and it’s in those times that we’re reminded of His Might. It’s in those quiet times that we find our Peace and our Comfort and our Joy. When you consider all the Spiritual Benefits of “investing” Time with the Living God, how could we EVER fail to give Him what He wants from us?

It can be so easy for people to make excuses for why they “don’t have time” to spend with the Living God the way I do, but it’s not time they lack at all. What’s lacking is that kind of Rich Relationship that makes it almost too much to bear if we DON’T spend Quality Time with the Living God each day. Sadly, failure to put Time into Love can be seen in every area of life. Some people are either too busy (or too selfish) to spend quality time with their own children, and they’ll pay the price for it all One Day. Plenty of relationships fail because people refuse to spend the time that’s needed to nurture love day after day and year after year. Then there are some that seem to have found the most amazing balance – they are attentive to their mate and attentive to their children, and their lives appear to be a mirror image of Ozzie & Harriet…BUT they just can’t seem to find time to spend with the Living God while they work toward their version of perfection at home. They find time for the “fun” stuff like vacations and board games while overlooking THE MOST IMPORTANT “experience” like Time with the God of all Creation. Of course, when life gets a little rocky and things aren’t going well, or when tragedy strikes the family, they all come running to God to fix things. If it wasn’t so sad, it would be funny to think about how parents take offense when they’re taken for granted by their children, BUT they don’t hesitate to come running to the Great “I am” when they have a need. Why would the Living God be any different when it comes to showing Him Respect and Love by spending time with Him instead of just expecting Him to jump through a Heavenly hoop whenever He’s needed? Hmm…

I could travel far and wide to see all the wonders of the world, but my favorite place will always be on the front porch in the Presence of the Living God. Nothing and no one can top what my Heart feels with Him. I’m Comforted…I’m Strengthened…I’m Overwhelmed with Love and Gratitude…and my Excitement cannot be contained. I’ve been given a Good reminder of how Powerless I am without Him in the driver’s seat of my Life and how “there is no good thing” apart from Him. The most important Time I’ll ever spend in my life is with Him, and as long as I have my Priorities Right, every single area of my Life will be in harmony because of it. “Rise and Shine” takes on an entirely different meaning when we determine to keep Him at the top of the list of our “priorities” every day.

As for me, I’ll be rising and Shining all the days of my life until He calls me Home because I gave Him the first (and the best) of me.

How about you?