I did it again.
I turned my alarm off after snoozing it multiple times, only to end up scrolling through social media.
I never feel better after I’ve scrolled for a few minutes, only worse.
I want…no, I NEED to start my day differently this year.
That’s when it hits me. A memory with Joni Eareckson Tada.
If you don’t know who Joni is, you are missing out! She is one of the most incredible women I’ve ever had the honor of interviewing. She is a Christian author, painter, and a quadriplegic. Jon is the founder of “Joni and Friends” which accelerates Christian ministry in the disability community. WayFM even based a whole World’s Biggest Small Group Bible study series on suffering around her story called “Beyond Suffering.”
Joni shared the prayer she prays each morning as soon as she opens her eyes. She cannot physically get herself out of bed; so in those moments while she waits for someone to come help her, she prays.
“Lord, I need you. I cannot get through this day without you.”
As she lays there, she declares her need for God. The part that has never left me though, is what she said next.
Joni said she feels badly for those of us who are less aware of our need for God. She cannot escape her dependency on Him. However, most of us wake up and get ourselves out of bed to start our day without the keen awareness that we completely dependent on God.
My morning are starting to look different now.
I open my eyes and pray Joni Eareckson Tada’s prayer before I scroll or my feet even hit the floor. It changes the rest of your day to simply surrender your day and your will to the God who is ultimately in control. We are dependent on Him, but we forget so often our need for Him.
One of the many reasons I love working at WayFM is that every single song is filled with hope and messages of Jesus to point our wandering hearts back to Him throughout the day. We know we do not put the air in our lungs or wake ourselves up, and yet we attempt to handle all life throws at us on our own. When we cannot handle it, we turn to God for help. I am trying to reverse that process these days and go to God first. He is my source of strength. Plus, starting my day in surrender to God leaving me feeling WAY better than scrolling!
