What do I do on my day off?
As someone working in an industry requiring shift work, I have worked many weekends and night shifts over the last few years. Unfortunately, this means I’m usually working when my friends are free, and vice versa. I find myself intentionally scheduling times to meet up with my friends, even if that is a month in advance.
I know many people are more spontaneous than me, and planning isn’t something everyone does. But it’s what I’ve needed to do to have somewhat of a social life. As I found myself dedicating most of my spare time to my friends and family, I realised I hadn’t set aside time for Jesus in the same way.
I still had quiet time in the mornings, went to church, and attended community group events. However, my eagerness and determination to meet with friends were greater than meeting with Jesus. Somehow, I would swap my shifts to ensure I could meet up with someone coming from out of town, but I didn’t swap any to make it to church.
I simply didn’t place as much effort into meeting with Jesus.
Catch up with Jesus
I wanted to start making it a habit in my life to catch up with Jesus, like the way I did with my friends. Once a week soon became too much, and so did once every month, which eventually fizzled out.
I had definitely put it into the calendar, “Catch up with Jesus”. But I didn’t know how to or what that meant. I would bring the Bible and my journal with me, but it never felt quite right. How do you catch up with someone who doesn’t verbally talk back to you?
It just didn’t feel the same as catching up with a friend. I wasn’t satisfied after those times. I could have been doing something objectively and measurably more productive like sleeping, professional development, or tasks around the house.
Sunrise Sundays
I wanted this year to be a year of reset for me. A revival in the way I lived my life and deepened my relationship with God. At the end of last year, I decided to combine everything I have loved or wanted to do sustainably. As a part of this came back the idea of catching up with Jesus but incorporated with watching the sunrise and fasting.
This initiative stemmed from many years ago when I watched the sunrise on a Sunday morning. I vividly remember the clear sky and the sun rising from the still waters on a winter morning. The radiant sun shone on the golden sand with birds singing along. At that beautiful moment, I thought, “why not do this more often?”
Is it worth it?
What started as habit building has become my favourite part of the week. I admit it is sometimes challenging to wake up on a day I can sleep in. But the glorious sunrise and having extended quiet time by myself with God in nature is worth it. I love enjoying his loving presence and recognising his greatness in creation. The breath of fresh air, the gentle tide coming in, and walking on untouched sand.
Nothing is better than being outside without distractions with God for two to three hours. Because this sets me up for the rest of the week, especially with my weekly focus verse and writing in my prayer journal.
There have been times when I don’t even care the sunrise is hidden behind the clouds. My week has been so busy that this time alone is worth the sacrifice of my sleep because I need God so much.
Your Sabbath
God calls us to rest. He calls us to rest in him. This day he has created, not for us to engage in any more work or things that drain us more than it fills us.
And while meeting up with friends is great, we need to be meeting with our Saviour. The God who renews us and empowers us for each moment.
In your week, what does catching up with Jesus look like? And is it a priority for you?
Find a ‘Sunrise Sunday’ that works for you. I can assure you that it is worth it.