If you’ve ever been invited to an important meeting with an important person, it’s likely that you ran through the scene a few times in your mind before you showed up. When will it happen? What should you say? What should you do? What will the other person say and do? When it comes to important meetings with important people, it’s best to have a plan.
You should certainly think of your time with God as an important meeting with an important Person. Therefore, it’s best to have a plan for it.
Of course, spending time with God is all about knowing Him more and deepening your trust in Him, so planning for it doesn’t mean trying to script every moment. God doesn’t want an automated relationship with people, He wants true worshipers who approach him openly and honestly, in spirit and in truth (John 4.23). While some people think that a plan gets in the way of that happening, the opposite is actually true. Having a plan for your time with God will help you be intentional, consistent, and committed over time.
With that in mind, here are some ways you can plan to make the most of your time with God:
1. Pick a time.
Choosing a time will help you be more consistent. Jesus got up early to spend time with His Father in the mornings (Mark 1.35). Many people like to spend time with God in the morning because they’re less distracted before the day gets started. Even if it’s not in the morning, it’s important to pick a regular time that works for you.
2. Pick a place.
The place you choose should be somewhere you won’t be distracted. When Jesus wanted to spend time with His Father, He often went to a “solitary place, where he prayed” Mark 1.35 NIV. You want to have a place where you can be alone and uninterrupted, away from people and devices. Pick a place where you can be quiet and listen to God.
3. Pick your tools.
The most important tool for this time is a Bible that you can read and understand. They are many high-quality translations of the Bible that are available today. Find one that works for you.
A daily Bible reading plan and a journal are two more helpful tools for this time. Follow the L.I.S.T.E.N. process as you engage in this time with God. It will help you focus on what God is saying to you through His Word.
4. Pick the right mindset.
The way you approach this time makes a big difference. If you are only interested in checking it off your to-do list so you can move on to the next thing, then you won’t find this time very meaningful. On the other hand, if you go through this time with an attitude of expectation, believing that God wants to speak to you, reading and listening with attention and focus, ready to apply what He shows you to your life, then your relationship with God will grow through this process.
This blog features an excerpt from one of our Student Series books, Walk With God.
