A Disciplined and Prudent Life

Reading Proverbs , and meditating on my 10 min commute (haha..) makes me think and ask myself: Am I living a disciplined and prudent life? My past job had me in at 7AM with a job commute of 45 min or more, which forced me to get up earlier. When I took my recent job, I have begun to slack in my early morning discipline routine, which makes me wonder, if I am habitually really fighting sin in this regard. John Owen, the great puritan scholar, wrote in his treatise on mortification: A weakening of the lust/sin is true mortification. In this regard, I am not weakening my fleshly desire to stay in bed even on a summer morning! What will become of me in the winter months when it is that much colder outside!

I've been slack secondary to my reasoning with myself:
1) In January of 09, I will most likely be sleep deprived! from our first baby- & need to store up rest/sleep. And generally: If I dont sleep enough, I will be fatigued during my work day.
2) I have been tired from all the daily tasks in the home and at work and need the extra sleep
3) Recent episode of neck and upper back pain- leading to discomfort and less motivation.
4) I have more time in the morning now before I have to go to work.
5) Worst of all: thinking: :"I am actually not too bad, and ok in my spiritual disciplines"

These reasons are on the surface reasonable and good, however, I got to thinking that, the more I let my body win the morning battle against laziness and sleep, I may drift from Christ and drift from a vigorous and fruitful life in the Lord. I was also thinking CJ mahaney is right in his book on humility, where when we think we dont need to get up and spend time with the Lord in Scripture, we are acting and thinking in pride. We are prideful because of our thinking that we are okay and dont need that fresh drinking of the sweet grace of the gospel found in the pages of the Bible.

So 5 more reasons to battle my struggles with sleeping in.
1) You dont need that much sleep. Your body will be fine and even better with less because your spirit will be renewed in the riches of knowing God's Word.

2) Get up! Realize your utter bankruptcy before the Lord and need for Him! Consider Matt 5:3- "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven"

3) You will 99% of the time never regret the decision to get up that extra bit earlier, because of the imeasurable profits that come from spending time in God's Word.

4) Scripture is incomparably valuable. They are eternal. As Jesus said in Matt 24:35- "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." They lead to a joy deep down. Ps 19:8- The precepts of the right, rejoicing the heart.

5) Your family needs you. That is, needs you to spiritually lead by example, discipline, and to stay humble before the Lord.

Just some quick thoughts this past day. Maybe my thoughts are far off, but hope to encourage by them.
Chris