I love sunsets. The shift from day to night. The end of a productive day. It’s as if all creation is preparing for rest. On Pinterest I have an album where I have pinned some sunset pics others have posted. Check it out!
The most consistent thing in life is change.
From the very beginning of our lives, we have experienced change. In fact, from Genesis 1, God designed the universe and everything in it with the innate understanding that things will change.
Our world was designed for constant change: years, weather, seasons, day, night, time, age. Our plans change, our bodies change, our friends change, our beliefs change, our purposes even change. We have to admit, we change every day. We are changed by the books we read, movies we watch, and games we play. Each breath brings a new opportunity for change.
One of the promises of life is that when we put our trust in God, we are changed. It’s a good change, and the change is new every day.
Today, on this Fathers Day 2017, I want to focus on a change we experience each day. If you read Genesis chapter 1 (especially as a westerner) you will note that each of the seven days change like this:
“And there was evening and there was morning”
In a Jewish day, when the sun is going down that is the end of the day. Once it’s dark, it’s the next day. So, the evening is really the beginning of the day (not the end). There are some interesting implications to this on our lives:
- Our day ends with work.
- Our day should begin with rest. After the sun goes down, we are normally getting ready for bed. It is time to rest.
- I can begin my day by planning what I will do after I wake up. Once the sun goes down, I can look at the day as though it is just beginning, and plan for a great day.
Michael Hyatt has blogged about evening and morning routines. Check them out when you get a chance.
As we look at our week, I encourage looking at your evenings and mornings, and consider making some changes to make your day and week more productive.
Here is our layout for planning a successful week:
- Begin this week with a goal – What is something meaningful you need to do this week to introduce something into your current situation or reality?
- Ask God to help – The One who created the universe has offered to help you and me with anything we need. Who knows what God might speak into your situation?
- Plan and Block – A goal is not the same as a plan. Consider what needs to take place so that you can accomplish the goal. Look at your schedule this week and block time specifically for doing those things. Protect that time. Accept no interruptions.
- Flex and Change – There will be new things along the way, and the need for change is inevitable. Embrace change and be flexible.
- Create and Present – Introduce your creation. This might mean to put something on display, to embrace a new routine, or to see a situation or issue from another perspective. Bring others into it. Let others appreciate the wonder of what you created.
- Admire – Like a refrigerator on Mother’s Day, take the time to look back and admire what you were able to accomplish…big or small. We should look back on our creations, and say “it is good.”
- Rest – After you admire what you created, take time to rest. All new creations bring new opportunities, and challenges. It did for God. 🙂 In the end, we will find it was worth it.
Don’t forget to call or hang out with your dad today. Something like that could be the change he was needing. 🙂
Comment below: What are some changes you have made to your evening and morning routines that have been helpful?