Transforming the Edges of the Day: Finding Intimacy in Our First and Last Hours

Brothers and sisters, we all know those moments. The first thing we do when we wake up—the groggy stretch, the immediate dive into the phone. And then, the last moments before we close our eyes—the mental replay of the day, the worries about tomorrow. These edges of our day, the first and last hours, are often when our anxieties peak, when our distractions are at their highest, and when the subtle whispers of the adversary are loudest.

It’s easy to treat these times like just another part of the schedule—something to get through so we can get to the *real* work. But what if we looked at them differently? What if we saw them not as vulnerabilities to be managed, but as prime real estate for the Spirit to visit?

I was recently thinking about this after hearing a beautiful talk. It reminded me so much of the core principle we strive for as disciples: that every moment, every place, can be a place of discipleship. Whether you’re in the MTC, serving in the field, or right here at home, the principle remains the same: we can intentionally invite the Savior into the margins of our day.

If you’re feeling the pull of constant distraction, if the weight of the world seems to settle heaviest right when you wake up or right when you settle down, I encourage you to pay attention to this teaching. It’s a powerful reminder that our inner awareness is reserved for God alone.

Three Ways to Make Your Edges Sacred

The speaker shared three beautiful, actionable tips for transforming these moments of peak vulnerability into times of profound grace. As we disciples, we are always looking for ways to deepen our covenant path, and these three points are gold mines for any missionary preparation or for any lifelong disciple.

1. Keep it Social Media-Free (and Scripture-Filled): This one hit home. We underestimate our capacity to simply *be* still. Instead of letting the endless scroll dictate our first and last thoughts, what if we anchored ourselves to a single, sustaining truth? Think of a psalm, a verse from the Book of Mormon, or a simple declaration like, “I will never forsake you.” Let that be the first and last thought. It’s not just positive thinking; it’s soul-strengthening truth that reminds us of the covenants we’ve made.
2. Start and End with Surrender: This is perhaps the most vital. Surrender isn't just a word; it’s an *act of entrustment*. It means walking into those moments and saying, "Lord, I hand you the worry about tomorrow, and I hand you the regret from yesterday. I give it all to You." The enemy is defenseless against a humble and confident heart that lets go of the fight and surrenders to the One who is more powerful—Jesus Christ.
3. Choose Your Vocation: (The speaker touched on this, reminding us to focus our minds on our highest calling—our relationship with Him.)

A Little Challenge for Our Rogue Disciples

As we strive to be Internet missionaries, we are constantly bombarded by inputs. We are always "on." This talk is a beautiful, practical lesson in digital and spiritual boundaries. I challenge you this week to try just one thing: For one day, when you wake up, before you check any device, spend five minutes simply naming three things you are grateful for, and then offer a simple prayer of surrender for the day ahead. It will feel unnatural at first, but I promise, the peace you find in that intentional quiet is the deepest kind of companionship.

Remember, the goal isn't perfection; it's consistency. It's about making these sacred moments the *most* important moments of your day. Let’s keep practicing this, not just when we're in the field, but right here, in our living rooms.

If you’re looking for more ways to deepen your study, I highly recommend diving into the scriptures through LivingBook. Sometimes a focused social scripture study highlight on a specific verse can guide you right to the perfect thought for your morning devotion.

If you’re ready to talk more about applying these principles to your own life, or if you want to role-play how to answer a tough question from an investigator about spiritual discipline, I invite you to connect with me, or better yet, let’s use Davee! He’s ready to walk you through the hard questions using his AI Investigator role. Let’s keep building each other up!