One thing people often wonder is whether there’s a “best” time of day to do the readings.
In general, I don’t think the specific time matters much. What matters is that it actually gets done.
That said, in practical terms, timing does seem to matter a little.
Maybe not the same way for everyone, but my experience might be helpful.
I’m one of those people who has to write a to-do list every day so things don’t slip through the cracks. Not everything on the list is priority one, and I don’t finish every item every day. I try to get the most pressing things done.
Guess what almost never qualifies as “most pressing”?
Reading the Bible.
I can put it on the list. But once I’m in execute-the-list mode, there’s always more on there than there is time in the day. That’s partly by design. But it means anything I plan to “get around to” usually doesn’t.
Because how often does a spare half hour just appear?
Basically never.
What works best for me is doing the readings right after I wake up. I’m usually up before everyone else, so it’s quiet. I haven’t opened my computer yet, so the real world hasn’t grabbed me. I pray first, then do the readings.
If I’m reading on my phone, the only discipline required is not opening email or a browser before I’m done.
You don’t have to do it first thing. Your mornings may look very different. The key, I think, is having a set time and sticking to it.
As best you can.
While writing this, I remembered that I read Proverbs this morning but got interrupted before finishing the other readings.
It will slide by if you’re not intentional.
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