Five Stones: The Essentials of Manning-UpSýnishorn

Stone 4 – Be Faithful: Make Your Bed.

“O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I direct my prayer to you and watch.”
Psalm 5:3. ESV

In 2014, Navy Seal Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduation class of the University of Texas at Austin with a speech that went viral. His central theme being, “If you want to change the world, start by making your bed.”

The simplicity and significance of this is far more profound than it sounds. We have this saying, “You made your bed, now sleep in it.” Essentially, we say, think of, and know that the way we start our day releases a certain rhythm. And whatever we start with, we better be able to finish. Making your bed is a practical, simplistic, but significant act you can do every morning to regain your focus on remaining faithful.

How you make your bed in the morning determines how you go to bed that evening.

Think about it practically… First, as McRaven said, it is a first task done well that sets the tone for the rest of your day. Secondly, when your bed is made, there’s no going back. No slumbering anymore. You’re ready, you’re set and you’re going to tackle the day.

Spiritually, ‘making your bed’ each morning means that you are alert and available to God, no matter what that day holds. You start by getting your mind and heart set on God first, and then faithfully continue into the day with that same mindset. Physically, when the bed is made, you cannot back out from that run, cancel the workout anymore, or prolong any of the tasks ahead any longer. Nothing holds you back, and one less thing needs to be done.

In terms of our marriage, this is also life changing. As mentioned above, this sets the tone for your day. Apart from the fact that making your bed in the morning is an act of service that proves your willingness to do chores, if you’re married, this will leave an impression on your bride every day. And if you’re still single, this will breed the habits of diligence, direction and servitude a future bride will find attractive.

In deeper terms of intimacy, if you want to come home to a warm and satisfying bed at night, keep on preparing the bed with your wife throughout the day. You don’t treat her as a servant during the day and expect satisfaction at night. Start your day by serving, and regardless of what happens when you go to bed, you will be satisfied in any case.

Growing up, we had this saying in our house: “Do it Duly! Do it Diligently!” Whether it was with regards to our chores, schoolwork, appointments, or any task or assignment given, this reminded us not to procrastinate, but not to just rush through things either. Man-up to the work and keep manning the work you’ve got!

This is something we see in the character of David. Whether he was tending sheep, writing Psalms, facing giants, pursuing enemies or pursuing God. He ‘made his bed faithfully’ each day. He did it duly! And he did it diligently!

Meditations on Manning-up:

- What can you learn about faithfulness from today’s reading?

- Which areas of your life need more immediate, intentional and intensive faithfulness?

- How can ‘making your bed’ influence your day and all aspects of your life?

- What do you need to pray for today?