Why 5am's are my Jam

A beautiful sunrise captured from my backyard

Waking up at 5 AM used to sound like punishment. I’d imagine it involved cold floors, warm blankets, and deeply questionable life choices. But now? It’s the most sacred, powerful, and surprisingly satisfying rhythm of my day.

This isn’t about being a “morning person” (I’m still not convinced those exist). It’s about being intentional. It’s about trading chaos for calm, noise for stillness, and endless scrolling for something eternal. Here’s why I’ve become one of those people, yes, the kind who’s already prayed, squatted, and journaled before the sun clocks in.

Prayer Before the Madness

At 5 AM, the house is silent. Even the dog isn’t up yet. The dishes aren’t calling. The emails haven’t ambushed me. The only voice I hear is God’s voice and He doesn’t need a calendar invite.

This is when I meet with Jesus. Coffee in one hand, Bible in the other, blanket wrapped like a battle robe. I don’t need to be eloquent. I just show up. And in that quiet, I realign my heart before the world starts pulling it in fifty different directions.

Workouts Without Witnesses

Exercising at 5 AM is the best kind of delusion. There's no judgment since there are no witnesses. Just me doing my slow runs while the moon is still out. But seriously, getting my workout done early means I’ve chosen to care for my body before the day gets loud. It’s not glamorous. Sometimes I don't meet my goal for that exercise and most times I negotiate with myself. But afterward? I feel strong, grounded, and weirdly smug.

Owning the Day

Waking up early doesn’t magically give you more hours, it just gives you back the ones you usually waste. Oof, I said it. In that quiet hour, I can breathe. I can think. I can write feelings. Hahaha, okay, so what if I'm a bit sensitive?

By the time everyone wakes up and life kicks into high gear, I’ve already filled my cup: spiritually, emotionally, and, yes, caffeine-ally.

Real Talk

I won’t pretend it’s always easy. Some mornings, I glare at my alarm like it personally betrayed me and I’m one beep away from hurling it to the wall. But I’ve never once regretted getting up. Not once.

Discipline may feel hard in the moment, but it buys you the kind of peace that snooze buttons never will.

So if you’re craving more margin in your day, more depth in your soul, or just looking for some quiet time...try waking up early.

My pastor used to say, "If Jesus can rise from the dead, you can rise from your bed!"

The world can wait. Jesus is already up.

PRAY WITH ME:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of another morning. Thank you that my eyes opened this day, that my lungs filled, and I get to stand once more in the soft glow of a brand-new day. You’ve blessed me with so many sunrises and each one is a beautiful miracle I never want to take for granted. Thank you for the grace to notice the breathtaking things around me.

Forgive me for the times I rushed past the light you painted across the sky, too busy or burdened to see the wonder you placed right in front of me. Today, I choose to notice and I choose to be thankful.

Let every sunrise be a reminder that You are faithful, that Your mercies are new, and that my purpose didn’t end yesterday.

I don’t want to waste the time you’ve given me. I want to rise with intention, to walk in Your light, and to live this day fully awake to your presence, to your love, and to the calling on my life.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.