What an absolute wild delight to welcome Tara Beth Leach today—a profoundly gifted teacher, leader, and writer whose wholehearted love for Jesus radiates through her life and work — I really deeply appreciate this sister. Tara Beth lives a beautifully down-to-earth life as a boy mom, horseback rider, outdoor lover, and and brings that same grounded, grace-filled spirit into her writing, where she speaks honestly about faith, weariness, and hope. And in this powerful excerpt from The GREAT Morning Revolution, she invites us into a simple yet transformative rhythm of beginning each day with God—an invitation that feels as warm, real, and life-giving as Tara Beth herself.

Guest Post by Tara Beth Leach

There’s a moment I’ll never forget—a moment when I felt utterly small yet entirely connected to something far bigger than myself.

A few years ago, I found myself hiking Angels Landing in Zion National Park, one of the most dangerous trails in the country. It starts with a series of difficult switchbacks called Walter’s Wiggles—twenty- one grueling, steep turns that leave a person breathless. But it’s not until you reach the final half mile that things get really terrifying.

This narrow ascent has cliffs on both sides that drop off thousands of feet down. One misstep can send you plummeting.

But the view from the top?

It’s beyond description. 

I remember sitting at the edge of the cliff, with nothing but sky above me and rock below.

I was in awe.

“Creation exalts God every day, simply by being what it was made to be.“

I turned on some worship music, and as I looked out at the expanse of creation, it felt like everything around me was singing God’s praises. The mountains, the wind, the sky—it was as if all creation was joining in one great song of worship to the Creator. In that moment, it hit me: Creation exalts God every day, simply by being what it was made to be. 

As I sat there, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ words in Luke 19:40: “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” He was speaking to the Pharisees, who were trying to silence the crowd as they praised him during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. But Jesus was clear—if humanity stopped exalting God, creation itself would rise up to take our place.

In fact, all creation praises God, day in and day out. The mountains stand tall in reverence, the rivers clap their hands, and the stars sing his glory. Yet we human beings made in the image of God are designed to join in this chorus in a way nothing else can. 

The psalmist in Psalm 19:1–2 declared, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known” (NLT). The created world never stops exalting God. And this brings me to an important question: If creation can exalt God by being what it was made to be, how much more are we called to exalt him with our lives, our voices, and our hearts? 

Exaltation—lifting God to the highest place in our lives—is not just something we do on Sundays or when we’re singing worship songs. It’s our design, our destiny. As Psalm 150:6 reminds us, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

We were made to worship. And if we don’t, creation will continue to cry out in our place. 

“When we start our morning by lifting up the name of God and placing him in his rightful position in our lives, we open ourselves up to receive his strength, wisdom, and peace.“

Incorporate Exaltation into Your Morning Routine 

To begin each day with exaltation is to set the course of your entire day with intention, peace, and a profound sense of God’s presence.

When we start our morning by lifting up the name of God and placing him in his rightful position in our lives, we open ourselves up to receive his strength, wisdom, and peace. But for many of us, the idea of creating a morning routine centered on exaltation can feel like an abstract concept. Or perhaps this habit feels difficult to maintain amid the busy realities of life. 

Read a psalm of praise

Kickstart your day by engaging with the Psalms, a biblical reservoir of worship and adoration. Reciting these verses aloud helps situate God at the center of your thoughts from the outset of your day.

As you vocalize these ancient hymns of praise, you allow their truths to seep deep into your spirit, anchoring your entire day in worship and reverence for God’s omnipotence. 

Sing or listen to worship music

Music moves the soul in ways mere words cannot. By incorporating worship music into your morning routine, you create an auditory backdrop that lifts your spirit and focuses your heart on God.

Musical exaltation can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary encounters with the divine, setting a tone of joy and reverence that carries through the rest of your day.

Journal with a heart of exaltation

Journaling is a powerful exercise in mindfulness and worship. By documenting your praises and meditations on God’s attributes, you engage in a deliberate act of worship that deepens your relationship with the divine.

This practice allows you to articulate your thoughts and feelings, offering a physical space to express your adoration and gratitude. Journaling can significantly enhance your awareness of God’s active presence in your life. 

“As you speak your praises and requests to God, you reinforce your faith and remind yourself of the greatness of the God you serve.“

Pray out loud

Praying aloud isn’t just vocalizing words; it is also an active and powerful declaration of God’s sovereignty and your trust in him. This practice helps solidify your thoughts and feelings in a tangible way, making your prayers more intentional and focused. As you speak your praises and requests to God, you reinforce your faith and remind yourself of the greatness of the God you serve.

This verbal expression of faith can be a profound spiritual exercise that aligns your heart with God’s purposes and prepares you to face the day with confidence and peace. 

This daily practice of lifting up God in the morning shapes my relationship with him and gives me the strength and peace I need to navigate the challenges of the day.

When we intentionally exalt God at the start of our day—whether through journaling, music, or prayer—we open ourselves up to his presence and power, allowing him to lead us throughout whatever the day may bring. 

Tara Beth Leach is an incredible teacher of the Word, speaker, and writer. She is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University and Northern Theological Seminary, as well as the author of four books, including The GREAT Morning Revolution. A frequent speaker at conferences, retreats, and universities across America, Tara Beth addresses topics such as church leadership, women in ministry, and the spiritual practice of morning prayer.

Tara Beth and Jeff Leach have been married for almost two decades. They live near Chicago, Illinois, where they are raising two rambunctious sons.

Many people struggle to make time for God in their busy schedules or just aren’t morning people–this book addresses those issues by helping Christians establish (and stick with) a spiritual morning routine.

The practice of waking early to seek God’s presence is woven into the fabric of God’s word. From the Gospels to the Psalms, from the wisdom literature to the historical narratives, the Bible resounds with the call to seek God early, to set the tone of our day with prayer, and to surrender the unfolding hours to his presence.

In The GREAT Morning Revolution, Tara Beth Leach shares how she adopted the ritual of rising early and discovered the transformative power of mornings with God–and she invites you to do the same. With practical guidance, spiritual encouragement, and a structured-yet-flexible approach, she shows you how to find sacred serenity in the early hours that will reshape your perspective and deepen your relationship with God.

For those who desire a deeper relationship with God but have trouble setting aside time for Him, The GREAT Morning Revolution holds a promise of renewal.

[Our humble thanks to Zondervan for their partnership in today’s devotional.}