Is it hard to find quiet time?
Waking up early for God with Mac Powell
Finding time to deepen our relationship with God can be a challenge, especially when life throws curveballs our way. From work commitments to family obligations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Yet, in the midst of these disruptions, Mac Powell, singer, songwriter and musician, found a way to prioritize his faith. His journey offers practical solutions to some of the most common challenges Christ-followers face when trying to deepen their faith.
The Challenge of a Disrupted Routine
Mac candidly shared his experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying, “Well, to be intentional, you have to really plan ahead. For me to be intentional about spending more time in prayer or in [God’s] Word – whatever it is you want to do to have those good intentions – I have to make those times available.”
Mac’s routine was disrupted when his kids started staying home all day. He noted, “So there wasn’t that time where they go off to school and I could get in the Word, which was normal.”
Make a Plan
To overcome this disruption, Mac made a radical decision: “So I’d get up at 5:00 in the morning, which I do not love to do.” Waking up early isn’t easy, especially when it’s not a part of your natural routine.
But Mac realized the importance of making time for God, echoing the wisdom of Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” (NIV).
Make Room for God
Adapting to a new routine isn’t just about setting an alarm; it’s about making room for God in a life that’s already full. Mac emphasized, “But I knew I had to do that if I wanted to get in the Word and to have my prayer time during that season of Covid with the kids at home.”
Cherish the Quiet Moments
Mac found his new habit became a blessing. He shared, “I actually got used to that time of getting up early in the morning. Actually, sometimes I missed that time where I was the only one awake; it was a dark outside, and everything was quiet.”
The quiet moments we find in our day can be a sanctuary, a special meeting place between us and God.
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16).
Just Start
Mac’s journey wasn’t without challenges. He admitted, “I can really try my best not to fall back to sleep and get into the Word.”
Starting a new routine is hard, but the inertia can be overcome. The important thing is to just start, to make that initial effort. The rest will follow, and God will meet you there.
Stick with It
Consistency was key for Mac. He didn’t just try this once; he made it a habit. “I was intentional’ I made that plan,” Mac says.
It’s the consistent, intentional actions that build a strong foundation of faith.
As Mac’s shares, making a plan and sticking to it can yield profound spiritual rewards. Whether you’re a morning person or not, it’s about being intentional in your relationship with God, even when it means making uncomfortable changes.
So, are you ready to make a change? If so, prayer this prayer:
Lord, I commit to making time to deepen my relationship with You. Help me to be consistent and intentional, adapting my routine when life’s disruptions come my way. Amen.
Then find that quiet corner or set your alarm a little earlier. The blessings that come from those intentional moments with God will make every effort worth it.
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