She riseth while it is still night (Proverbs 31:15a)
On Monday I discussed some practical techniques for waking up early and getting adequate rest. When I started on this plan, I resisted the urge to actually get out of bed when the alarm went off. I didn’t feel the need to do so.
I lacked a strong ‘why,’ a purpose for arising and starting my day.
Many times we shuffle through life, heading from one activity to thenextin an endless fog of movement. At the end of the day, we go to bed a little anxious, a little antsy, and thinking: “I’ll have to run go through that wringer again tomorrow.” When morning arrives, we hit the snooze button, not wanting to face another day.
In Monday’s post, I mentioned that the woman in Proverbs 31 was an early riser. I believe she was an early riser because she had a strong ‘why.’
- She had valuable resources to find. She was a savvy shopper. (‘She seeketh wool and flax…she bringeth food from afar” v.13a, 14b)
- She had assets to purchase and invest in. She was an investor. (‘She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard’ v.16)
- She had exercise classes to attend (or something like that!) She took care of her health. (‘She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.’ v.17)
- She had people in need to help. She was a giver. (‘She stretcheth out her hand to the poor.’ v.20)
- She had a household to provide for. She was a homemaker. (‘All her household is clothed with scarlet.’ v. 21 ‘She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.’ V. 27)
- She had fine clothes to wear. That’s enough for any woman to get up early! (…her clothing is silk and purple. V. 22b)
- She had arts and crafts to make and sell. She was a business owner. (‘She maketh fine linene, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.’ v. 24)
- She had other to impart with values and principles. She was a teacher. (‘She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.’ v. 26)
All of this is enough to fll anyone’s plate. She had a strong ‘why’ behind each activity she engaged in and this ‘why’ enabled her to get up early every day. We all have activities, but what about the ‘why’ behind each one. Is the ‘why’ strong enough to motivate you to follow through with the sleep training process so you can get started on your day?
When I was nineteen, I attended one of the top universities in the nation. To the unsuspecting eye, I had it all: I had a vibrant acting career, I attended an Ivy League school and I had money in the bank. But I woke up every day at Noon, or 1pm…or anytime after the morning had passed. I lacked a strong ‘why.’
One day, while getting ready for class, I told my roommate that I thought college was a drag and I wished I didn’t have to go to class. Then she said the most profound statement. I’ll never forget it:
“Then leave school.”
I was flabbergasted. I couldn’t leave school. I had worked on getting into this school for my entire academic career. People would give blood to attend this school. Up and leave? No way. So I continued along and my ‘why’ for attending became weaker and weaker each day until I was forced to leave. I didn’t return to university until I had figured out my ‘why’ for going back. When I did find my ‘why’ and returned, I thrived.
If you don’t have a strong why for any of the activities you engage in on a daily basis.
1) Toss the activity
2) Stop and reflect. Find your ‘why’
If you push this off, you’ll be in danger of trudging through your days, months, years…life frustrated and unfulfilled.
Not cool.
One resource which helped me with this was a wonderful ebook called “Tell Your Time” by Amy Andrews. I’m using this helpful resource to clarifying the ‘whys’ in my life. It’s helping me clarify the ‘whys’ in my life.
Below is a link to the book’s website. This is an affiliate link so if you purchase the book through this link, I’ll receive a small commission.
Let’s Talk: Do you wake up early every morning? Why or why not? I’d love to help you find your ‘why’
Leave a Reply