How we start the day in our attitude and thinking influences the success of our day. Since my high school days, I’ve begun every day with meditation, contemplation, reflection and prayer that includes spiritual readings; it’s a productive habit that I continued through college, seminary, pastorate and my 20 years as a U.S. Army Chaplain.
Since retiring, it has continued to be a designated time, a time of refreshment and strengthening. Morning devotions are an effective way for for me to celebrate each new day. For my devotionals, I find The Upper Room daily devotional guide to be a great help.
I was particularly moved by the devotion of September 3, which referred to the characteristics of the battery and the AC clocks which abound in our home.
Vincent J. O’Brien, author of the devotionals, meditated on the spiritual meaning of clocks:
“The Lord spoke to me through this experience. I saw that because the battery-powered clock runs on its self-contained energy source, it will eventually become exhausted. But a clock plugged into a wall outlet can run indefinitely, without strain or tension, because it draws not only on its own finite energy but on an external source of greater power.
“When I try to confront a challenge of obstacle, using my own power, I quickly become exhausted and discouraged. Like the battery-powered clock, I wear down. Instead, if I asked Christ to take over, he provides direction, hope and the energy to persevere. When we are plugged in to God, our eternal source, we have power that makes everything possible.”
— Vincent J. O’Brien
This reading renewed my understanding of the words of Jesus in John 15:4;
“No branch can bear fruit by itself…”
In summarizing, this pithy devotional included this closing prayer reminding us that “God is “our sole source of energy and wisdom.”
Whether it is the Upper Room or another uplifting narrative, include time in your day for meditations or devotionals. It energizes the spirit.
