I’m not a coffee drinker but I often get requests to meet for coffee. In Los Angeles at least, the coffee spots have a subculture of regulars. When asked to meet at one of these places, I imagine one of my local coffee spots, crowded—rarely a seat available—with everyone sitting around usually not talking. What you mostly hear is the periodic shout of names for pick-up, the tapping of computer keys, and the occasional outburst of laughter by someone on their mobile. The point is, these folks have needs met there and invest some serious hours. They spend time. They linger.

Many of these folks (many of whom I know and have occasionally been), go to their regular coffee spot to write scripts, to edit, to read. It’s a place where they can focus and be inspired just by being in proximity of others doing the same, and I get it; it’s important that all of us be able to name that soil—the soil where we can creatively be watered, grow, and be productive—bear fruit (Ezekiel 17:8, John 15:4, John 15:8).

Whether being used as an office or an escape, it sure seems it’s more about the time slot and experience than the coffee. Sounds somewhat cheesy and maternal but my secret hope, whenever I look around at whatever they’re busy with, is that it’s quality, well-used time and that they leave better people.

The L.A. Creative Coffee Scene Culture is a little like my goal is as a Christian—to appoint my regular “spot” and spend time in prayer; to set time aside, taste and enjoy (Psalm 34:8). A spot where if someone were looking for me, they’d be sure to find me there. The times I’ve received my most profound instructions, confirmations, heads-ups, and revelations have been the times I’ve purposely set time aside, separated myself, shut my mouth, and lingered—listening…focusing…waiting…expecting…

It takes practice to shut down distractions (inside and out) and linger or wait on God while enjoying the waiting (Psalm 27:14). As we all know, the process of overcoming or becoming great at a thing is the most difficult, being we have to push past the flesh; but once we’ve practiced enough, we hopefully and ultimately arrive at a place of not just fighting for that time but needing that time—it becoming our air—having to have it. We ought to arrive at a place of not being there for the “coffee” alone, but for the time and experience with Him. Of Him.