Tuesday, August 16, 2011

To Choose Wisely


I know myself.

I know if I don't exercise right away in the morning, I won't get it done. If the clock reaches 9:AM and I haven't hit the streets or the gym, it ain't happening, people.

But I also like to start out my day gradually, sitting quietly with a cup of tea in my office, checking emails, Facebook, reading blogs. And I know I need some quiet time with God in prayer, reading His Word, soaking in what it has to say, taking the time to put thoughts to paper to cement what I'm learning.

To accomplish all this by 9:AM requires me to either get up pretty early, which I often do, give something up, or be extremely disciplined, which I'm not. Every day, every single day is a challenge, a battle. A cloudy morning makes my bed more appealing. I oversleep and feel bloaty so I choose the Y instead of my quiet office and Bible. I check Facebook first and get lost in cyberspace. A online bunny trail steals my time.

"I must make a conscious, deliberate, daily choice to sit at His feet, to listen to His Word, to receive His love, to let Him change me, and to pour out my heart’s devotion to Him. When I get into His presence, the whole world looks different.”

A Place of Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

How can I choose wisely? How can I force myself to make that deliberate decision to do what I know to be best? I remember the prize--the perspective shift I gain in His presence, the peace and direction which only come from Him. I mean, c'mon, which would you rather do, run three miles or find calming guidance for your day? No contest.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:24

To choose wisely, I think of the prize, not the discipline.

Join our host Debbie at Heart Choices for more thoughts on this quote.

7 comments:

Loni said...

To choose wisely, I think of the prize, not the discipline.

Yes! Thanks so much for sharing!

(I struggle with exercise too!) :)

Debbie Petras said...

I love how you focus on the prize and not the discipline. What a great way to look at it. Sometimes there aren't enough hours in the day to meet all the expectations. But choosing to spend that time with the Lord each morning does refocus us and where we spend our time.

Thank you for participating in this week's quote Tami.

Blessings and love,
Debbie

lynnmosher said...

Yes, I agree with both Loni and Debbie: To choose wisely, I think of the prize, not the discipline. Great thought, Tami!

Carol said...

Oh yes, spending time with the Lord is the best choice.

I also know what you mean about the distractions. I like your encouragement to focus on the prize.

Shanda said...

So true! If we would only remember the prize and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and the finish line, we would be so much more disciplined. Good post.

Irene said...

Your post is very enlightening, Tami. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. :-)

Monkey-Farmer-38 said...

Thanks so much for your post. This is just what I needed to hear. Your words never cease to touch my heart.