Take Time to Be Holy
Monday, October 6, 2025
“Let us not see the face of man today until we have met with Jesus.” – C.H. Spurgeon
A few months ago, I started a new habit. Before I roll out of bed in the morning and my feet touch the floor, I commit my entire day – and my entire self – to the Lord. I ask Him to take complete control of my life and to use me for His purposes and glory, not mine.
Years ago, a dear friend of mine shared a similar story with me about a healthy spiritual habit he had developed. He was an outstanding all-around athlete who loved to work-out to stay in shape. However, realizing that maintaining spiritual strength was far more important than physical muscle, he disciplined himself to read the Bible and pray before he did his morning exercises and weight training.
In today’s quote, Charles Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of seeking God first thing in the morning before we venture out into the world. Otherwise, we will be ill-prepared to face Satan and his vicious and unrelenting attacks (see Ephesians 6:10-20). Likewise, beginning our day in communion with God prepares our heart and our “spiritual antennae” to recognize ministry opportunities that come our way.
It's not a one-size, fits-all type of thing. Personally, I read a few online devotional messages (similar to this one), a portion of Scripture (I’m currently studying the Gospel of Luke), and then spend some quiet time in prayer with the Lord. Altogether, my daily spiritual prep time takes about 20 minutes, but I also “pray without ceasing” throughout the day (see I Thessalonians 5:17).
Taking Spurgeon’s advice to the nth degree, you and I wouldn’t show up at work, school, church or any public place without showering, combing our hair, brushing our teeth, and dressing properly… so why would we begin our day spiritually unkempt?
As the opening stanza of that old hymn says…
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
“Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray.” Mark 1:35 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
