Rick Warren says that “you can structure for growth or control, but not both.” I’ve heard him say that many times in the context of church and leadership and my wife and I are feeling it like never before.

Our girls are going 1000 miles an hour. Our church is growing and with the addition of a couple team members we’re pushing hard on a few projects to launch this Fall. On top of that God is stretching my faith and asking us to prepare to execute on some audacious dreams in the coming couple years.

There’s one thing that I find myself coming back to in order to cope with this out of control feeling. I’ve been getting up way earlier than I normally do. I’ve always loved to rise before the rest of the family but usually it’s a drudgery. Lately it’s been my lifeline.

I’ve done this before with specific goals like reading the bible, journaling, etc. but lately it’s been no rules. Inevitably I end up talking to Jesus, checking my calendar, email, Twitter, FB but no big pressure.

I don’t think “devotions” or our “quiet time” was intended to be something we “get done” but Someone we connect with. He’s still got the whole world in His hands while ours seems to spin out of control.