I have made many decisions in my Christian life but one stands out as having the greatest effect on my spiritual growth and development. At the time it seemed a small thing and it was many months before I felt the impact of it on my life.
I sensed in my spirit that God wanted me to get up earlier than my family to spend the first part of each day with Him. Hoping that this idea was just my imagination I asked Him to confirm the order by awakening me at the time He wished me to get up. Like clockwork from then on my spiritual alarm went off at the same early hour every morning. There could be no doubt that He was asking this of me.
Now getting myself out of bed in the morning was the hardest thing that I did all day and it was a real struggle to force myself up and out. The first few months I was sometimes obedient, sometimes not. I used many excuses to sleep in -- being up all night with sick children, late evening commitments, etc. Then during a difficult time I realized that there was no excuse for missing my early morning meeting with God. He told me explicitly from Proverbs -- "Love not sleep lest your soul come into poverty".
From that time to this, listening and talking to God is the first appointment of my day. During these moments He has opened wide the doors of His Kingdom to me and given me the privilege to sit in His presence and learn from Him. What a priceless gift to receive for only a few less minutes of sleep each morning.
"He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple."
Isaiah 50: 4