Yes, you can pray anywhere; yes, you can praise Him anywhere; and yes, you can read the Bible just about anywhere. (I said “just about,” because reading in a car sorta makes my tummy tumble—you too?) However, I think we would all agree that it is imperative to have an established location (even generally so) where we are able to focus our full attention on our time with God.

Because the “where” is most likely tied into the “when,” I want to focus on that element of it today. Tomorrow, we can look at a few thoughts about the importance of the actual “where.”

God demands (this is not a mere request) that we give Him our best. Notice: we do not have to be the best; but we do have to give our best—in all we do! In the Bible, this is sometimes called giving Him the “firstfruits,” because that is the term for the produce, livestock, and crops that people were to bring to the temple as an offering to God. This didn’t mean that they were to offer to God the very first apple they picked from the tree: it might have been a rotten one or one half-eaten by worms! “First” refers to rank—not order. It meant giving Him, in this case, the best apple: the one that was ranked “number one” above the others! [By the way: aren’t you glad we no longer have to bring sacrifices and offerings to pay for our sins? Jesus took care of all that when He gave His life to buy us back from the sins that enslaved us!]

So, the same thing is true when it comes to our time with God. We are to give Him our best time. Are you exhausted at five in the morning but wide awake, at your best, and ready to reflect on His goodness at six-thirty in the evening? Then give Him your best: meet with God at six-thirty in the evening! Do you love rising early and seeing what treasures you can uncover in the Bible to carry you through the day? Then give Him your best time: give Him your early morning time!

I once heard a preacher teach, “no Bible, no breakfast”—and, though his intentions were right, it still makes me sad to remember the dejected look on the face of the new (non-morning person) believer sitting beside me! Sadly, many try to dictate Bible-reading “checklists” for others based on what works best for them. However, if you’re barely dragging yourself to the car to head to work or sleepily praying for every green light on the way to hurriedly drop your kids off at school, why in the world would you think God wants His appointment with you while you’re too groggy and muddle-minded to listen to what He wants you to hear?

I’d like you to do something today: determine (or reaffirm) your best time to meet with the Lord. That way, tomorrow, you will be ready to choose (or reaffirm) your “where” based on your answer to “when.” These five quick questions will help you:

1. When am I most alert?

2. When is my schedule free? (You can’t be late to work just because that’s the time you want to meet with God!)

3. When will I face the least amount of distractions? (Moms: notice I didn’t say, “no distractions!”)

4. What am I willing to give up to free up the time to meet with God? (Ouch, Brenda—you didn’t mention that part!)

5. When is my best time?

Remember: this is not about hours and hours of theological study. This is about you, God, and a time of relationship-building communication that deserves your best time!

Suggested reading: Proverbs 3:9, Ezekiel 44:30, James 1:18, and Colossians 3:23

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