First and Best

Why the way you start your day determines the direction of your life, your relationships, and your walk with God.

There is a simple but life-changing principle that has the power to transform everything—your mindset, your decisions, your marriage, and your relationship with God. It’s what I call “First and Best.”

This idea came to me from a clear prompting I sensed from the Lord while driving into the office one morning shortly after I launched this practice in 2021: He doesn’t want our leftovers—He wants our First and Best. Not what’s left after a long day, not distracted moments squeezed in between responsibilities, but the first portion of our time and the best of our attention, focus, and affection.

At its core, “First and Best” is about relationship, not routine. God created us to be in relationship with Him, and like any meaningful relationship, it requires intentional time, presence, and priority. When we choose to give Him the first moments of our day, we are saying, “You matter most.” We are aligning our hearts with His, inviting His wisdom into our decisions, and positioning ourselves to walk in His peace and direction.

But this goes beyond just when we meet with God—it speaks to how we meet with Him.

Giving God our “Best” means we bring Him our clearest mind, our full attention, and an undistracted heart. It means slowing down enough to actually hear His voice, praying with sincerity instead of rushing through words, and engaging with Him not out of obligation, but out of love. It’s choosing what Mary chose—to sit at the feet of Jesus—over the distractions that constantly compete for our attention.

This principle is deeply rooted in Scripture. Proverbs 3:9 tells us to honor the Lord with our “firstfruits,” and while that often refers to finances, the principle applies to our time as well. Time is one of our greatest assets, and how we steward it reveals what we truly value. When we give God our first moments, we are offering Him the “firstfruits” of our day—an act of trust, surrender, and devotion.

Throughout the Bible, we see this pattern over and over again.

• Abraham rose early to meet with God – Genesis 19:27
• Moses met with God regularly and personally – Exodus 24:4
• David sought the Lord early with a thirsty soul – Psalm 5:3 and 63:1
• Daniel prayed consistently, no matter the cost – Daniel 6:10
• And Jesus Himself rose before daybreak to spend time alone with the Father – Mark 1:35 and – Luke 5:16

This is not coincidence—it’s a model.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:33

When you give God your “First and Best,” you are not just checking a spiritual box—you are setting the trajectory of your entire day. Decisions become clearer. Your emotional responses become steadier. Your patience grows. Your perspective shifts. You begin to carry His presence into every conversation, every challenge, and every opportunity.

Reverse Engineering Your “First and Best”

Here’s where this becomes incredibly practical—and where most people either succeed or fail.

If “First and Best” is going to happen consistently, it will not happen by accident. It must be designed into your life.

That starts with your alarm clock.

Most people say they want to spend time with God, but they don’t structure their mornings in a way that actually allows it. They wake up rushed, reactive, and already behind—leaving no space for intentional time with the Lord.

So instead, you must reverse engineer your morning.

Start by asking:

👉 What time do I need to leave or begin my day?

👉 How much time do I want to give God for my “First and Best”? (Start with 15–30 minutes and grow from there)

👉 How much time do I need to get ready after that?

Then work backwards.

If you need to leave by 7:30 AM…

And you want 30 minutes with God…

And 45 minutes to get ready and do some things around the house before you leave…

And you have a 15 minute commute…

That means your alarm needs to be set around 6:00 AM. This is where discipline meets desire.

“First and Best” will always cost you something—usually sleep, comfort, or convenience. But what you gain in return is far greater: clarity, peace, strength, and spiritual alignment.

As Martin Luther once said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” He understood something most people miss—you don’t have time not to start your day with God.

How to Begin (and Stay Consistent)

If this feels overwhelming, don’t overcomplicate it. Start simple:

• Set a consistent time and place
• Start small, but start now (10–15 minutes can grow)
• Pray before you read and ask God to speak
• Read Scripture with intention
• Journal what stands out
• Pray honestly and openly
• End with gratitude

Consistency matters more than perfection.

Final Thought

When you give God your “First and Best,” you are making a powerful declaration:

He is first. Not your schedule. Not your stress. Not your responsibilities. Him.

And that one decision has the power to change everything.

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3

The Lord does not need your time—He desires your heart.

And when you give Him the first of your time, you are giving Him the best of your heart.