First Appointment: Meet With God
August 21, 2026
Birds of every kind are fascinating. How do they manage life without a master plan, a Google calendar, or even a cell phone buzzing with “urgent” news? No beeps, no rings—yet they always seem to know what to do next.
Thomas Merton, much like King Solomon, watched nature closely. He wrote that in the stillness of early morning, God awakens the birds. They do not ask Him for a detailed schedule. In their own way, they look up and ask, “Is it time to be?” God answers, “Yes.” And they go about their day—being birds.
Scripture tells us that Jesus often withdrew to commune with the Father. He said that he can “only do what he sees the Father do” (John 5:19). Imagine if we approached our days in that same spirit, even with our long lists of demands, worries, and “must‑dos.”
Most of the time, we tell God what our day will be and then ask Him to bless it. But what if, like the birds, we began by asking, “Lord, how do you want me to be today?” Not just what to do—but how to be:
– Peaceful instead of rushed
– Grateful instead of grumbling
– Attentive instead of distracted
Modern life can feel like it has us on lockdown—appointments, traffic, headlines, family needs. Yet we are still part of God’s creation, His crowning work. Like the rest of creation, we truly know which way to go only when we hear it from God.
The psalmist prayed,
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4–5)
So before the calendar pops up, before the news alert, and even before the coffee or tea, let’s pause and look up. Thank God for breath, for another sunrise, and ask Him to lead the day.
Make God your first appointment.
Let Him write the agenda.
Then step into the day, simply—and faithfully—“being” who He calls you to “be.”
