Liz Curtis Higgs grabbed my attention with joyful greetings when she opened her weekly “Rise and Shine Mondays LIVE with Liz” online presentations. “Lively” is a more apt description.
“Good morning, Lord!” she often prays in a cheery voice when she teaches online. Then she praises Him and requests His help and blessings for listeners.
Liz sprinkles funny stories into her teaching, often laughing at herself. She shares the names she assigned to her wigs during chemotherapy and giggles about the large, colorful earrings she prefers.
Although I learn from Liz’s deep study of Scripture and obvious reverence for the Lord, I also enjoy her contagious passion for God’s Word and the way she shares joy and other blessings. An international speaker and author of over thirty books, Liz seeks to obey God and share His truths with her unique blend of teaching and laughter.
I view Liz as a woman who stands on tiptoe each morning with a big smile, ready to capture the blessings God designed for that day. She embraces them for her life and generously shares them with others—blessings like His love, mercy, kindness, laughter, forgiveness, generosity, guidance in trials, and more. She points not to herself but back to the Giver of all good gifts, our heavenly Father (James 1:7).
Although I admire this godly woman, years ago, I learned the hard way not to pattern my life after another person—even a godly woman like Liz Curtis Higgs. God made each of us as unique individuals created for His plans, and He teaches us to imitate Him, not other people.
God made each of us as unique individuals created for His plans, and He teaches us to imitate Him, not other people. Share on X
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV
We can, however, notice Christlike characteristics in others and pray for God to continue His work in us. In Philippians 1:6, He promises He will. I admire Liz’s diligent Bible study and her exuberance for sharing His truths and His goodness with others.
As we follow Christ, we can start our days with cheer and prayer as Liz started her presentations. We can take time to study the Bible, notice God’s blessings, embrace them into our lives as we thank Him, and then ask Him to help us share His gifts with those we meet each day.
As we follow Christ, we can start our days with cheer and prayer. Share on X
Your turn
What suggestions do you have for beginning each morning on tiptoe with a big smile, ready to capture the blessings God designed for the day? How have others helped you focus on a truth from God’s Word or shared His blessings with you?
Good morning Jeannie! Thank you for reminding me that even though we are inspired by others, we still have our own journey to take. You are a great motivator to me.❤️
Deanna, how affirming to read your comments this morning. I once fell into the trap of patterning my life after women I admired. As you might predict, the changes were short-lived. I’m thankful God taught me as a young adult to follow Him while praying He’d make me more like Jesus. Have a great day!
Jeannie, thanks for untroducing us to Liz. As for patterning ourselves after a woman we admire, I learned my lesson on that, too, many years ago. I’ve seen it more recently in what became religious idolatry resulting in a nun being transferred through no fault of her own. Sad because the nun was doing so much good in her then present position.
Aren’t we grateful God continues to teach us? When we listen as you did, He makes marvelous changes. Thanks for commenting, Peggy.
My prayer when I hit the floor or pour my coffee is “lord this is your day. How do you want me to use it?
What a powerful prayer to start your day, Marilyn! Thank you for reading and for including this wonderful example. Each day is indeed His.
Although I most often rise early in the mornings, well before sunrise, I’m not always “shining.” I like Marilyn’s request of the Lord each morning. I often pray for guidance as I awake. Feeding my animals just as dawn begans to banish the dark reminds me of Jesus bringing light to a dark world. Mornings are a wonderful time to share praise and thanksgiving for our infinite blessings. Thank you for your inspiring message, Jeannie.
Katherine, I wouldn’t be “shining” either if I were feeding animals at dawn! What a wonderful use of that time to remember “Jesus bringing light to a dark world.”I agree fresh new mornings lead to praise. I appreciate your comments.
I like to start my day listening to music on K-Love ❤️
What a perfect way to begin your morning! Praise music and hymns help focus our minds on God and remind us to listen to Him throughout the day. Thanks so much for sharing.
I always put my Bible and journal near my bed so I can drag it onto my lap when I drag myself up. I’m not a morning person, but I find starting the day with Jesus is always the best part of my entire day. Thanks for reminding us that we pattern our lives on Jesus not on others.
I agree, mornings can be hard. I love your plan to ensure you start the day with Jesus, Sylvia.
I believe Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” In being yourself, you should choose to allow God to transform you into the sanctified person He created you to be. Thanks, Jeannie, for this lovely and inspiring post.
Annie, thank you for adding the quote. What a perfect reminder. I also appreciate your statement, “In being yourself, you should choose to allow God to transform you into the sanctified person He created you to be.” Thanks so much for enriching our conversation with your comments.
You are so right, We need to pray that the Lord will help us be ourselves, but keep on becoming more Christlike
Well-said, Kathy. It’s so easy to get off track, but God’s Word reminds us to look to Jesus as our model. Thank you for stopping by.
Jeannie, Thank you so much for the reminder that I should start every day with a prayer of thankfulness to our God. Also, pray that He will guide my steps during the day and help me to be more like Jesus every day. Love you sweet friend.
Sandy, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I surely need to pray for His guidance instead of following my own way. I love you, too, and I appreciate your comments more than you know.
I invite God into my day each morning and ask Him to help me make the most of it. “This is the day the Lord has made. let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
I heard Liz speak at a conference and loved her!
What a perfect way to start your day! I’ve heard Liz speak several times and always enjoyed her enthusiasm and teaching. I’m glad you had that joy, Candyce. Thanks for your contribution to our discussion.
Such a GREAT post on a subject dear to my heart. Living in the authenticity of who God made you to be. This was so beautifully written, I moaned out loud as I read parts of it. Let us protect that which God has made…. Let us be true to the plan of our Designer, our Lord.
Sometimes, that will take courage. It’s so much easier to model ourselves after another who seems successful. But the Lord knows who we need to be, who He made us to be. Thank you, Jeannie Waters for another insightful post!
Elizabeth, your encouraging words warmed my heart and made me smile. You’re right about how walking in authenticity sometimes requires courage. But, as you said, God knows who He intends us to be. He always completes His work as Philippians 1:6 tells us. Thank you for YOUR encouraging words.
God indeed made us unique and different, with a different way for each of us to reach the same destination. Am so glad He made you to teach, guide, and encourage us with patience and grace Ms. Jeannie. So enjoyed this post ma’am.
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, J.D. Like you, I love to share the lessons God teaches me.
I used to wake my kids up with Rise and Shine give God the glory. They would moan and roll over. But people I know who wake up like Liz with a good morning Jesus attitude are so wonderful to be around. Thank you for the reminder.
I love that song, Jennifer. We aren’t all morning people, but God fills our hearts with joy when we turn to Him, doesn’t He? Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.