Embrace the Night

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

I have fought with sleep patterns my whole life and still end up being more alert when the lights are out. Maybe I should embrace the way I’m made—could everyone else just adapt?

As much as I want to rest with sunset…

I’ve wondered if the night hours are when the Lord best speaks to my quieted mind.

Electronics are stilled, the dishes won’t go anywhere, and all distractions are muted.

When do you find you’re most receptive to God’s voice?

Is it early morning, during your lunch break, or after the kids go to bed?

The boy, Samuel, heard God speak to him at night. At first, he thought it was his mentor, Eli, but after running in response to Eli three times, they both realized Someone bigger had called. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What did Eli instruct the child to say?

“Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 3:9 NIV

What if I responded the same way when God knocks at my writer’s door? “Speak Lord, Your servant is listening.”

Wouldn’t the written words carry more impact because of the authority imparted? Yes, speak Lord, I’m listening.

Exercise:

Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.            

2 Timothy 2:15 AMP

Make a study of your work habits.

• What time of day are you most alert?
• What foods make you feel sluggish?
• What meals boost your energies?
• What kind of exercise do you enjoy?
• What topics fuel your passion for writing?
• What lessons have you learned from your experiences?

Let self-awareness equip you to be more alert to nudges from the Lord and to write at His leading.

Maybe your “night” is a dark time in your life? How can it bring new vulnerability into your prose? Our times of seeking God equip us to speak into the lives of others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 says we can impart the comfort, encouragement and endurance we have received from the Lord.

“Comfort means to lessen someone’s grief or distress by giving strength and hope.”

Roget’s Desk Thesaurus

What comfort has the Lord brought to you in your darkness?

May your night bring light to others through the words you impart.

What would it mean for you to “embrace the night?”

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net