It’s easy to get so busy doing things for God that we neglect spending time WITH Him. Being intentional with our time is vital—everything we do as believers should rest on the foundation of our relationship with God and the guidance He gives us in His Word. Many times I’ve let myself get too busy, struggling in my own strength trying to accomplish everything. And as a result, neglected what’s MOST IMPORTANT: time with God.

So here is some advice from the lessons I’ve learned:

1. Set your alarm 15 minutes (to begin with) earlier to spend time with God first thing in the morning

• Before you get caught up in ANYTHING for the day, take a few minutes to give it all to God.
• Give Him your time, your family, your worries, and your to-do list. 
• Ask HIM to guide your thoughts, and show you His plans for you that day.

2. Build a routine 

• If you aren’t intentionally building a routine, your time with God will be a one-time event. 
• Building routine means foreseeing things that will derail your plans, dealing with them, drawing boundaries, and protecting them. 
• You will need no say to things. Routine requires sacrifice. Science shows that it generally takes upwards of 66 days to create a new habit. It’s not easy. But it is worth your while.

3. Write down some verses for you to meditate on in the morning, or refer to during a busy day. Here are a few that I’ve written on sticky notes by my work desk:

• And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
• Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans (Proverbs 16:3).
• Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path (Psalm 119:105).
• But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).