There are so many things vying for our attention in this life. We want to be successful at work and earn that next promotion. We try hard to keep a perfect and orderly home—one that our friends will admire. We get caught up in the politics and social issues of the day—such that we neglect time in the Word and in prayer. It’s easy for believers to lose focus and forget what is truly important.

And just what are the essentials of a godly Christian life?

Well, I believe there are 3 basic things: service, love and devotion

As believers, we should have a desire to serve others and to use our gifts and talents in service to Him. In the church my husband and I attend, there are numerous opportunities to engage in service, both within the church body and in the greater community. Yes, we sometimes hesitate to sign up for these service opportunities thinking, there are others who will do it, or we don’t have time, but you are needed and there are certain opportunities for which you are uniquely gifted. The next time the call goes out for help in a ministry or project, go for it! You will be glad you did.

Closely related to the priority of service in the Christian life is the command to love. It is related to service in that serving others speaks love to them. We can also show love by exhibiting the fruits of the spirit within our home, church and community. It is loving to be patient. It is loving to be kind. It is loving to be self-controlled and gentle. And, lest you think I’m crazy asking you to be peaceful and patient in your home with a cranky husband and 4 kids under 6, it isn’t by our own strength that we exhibit these godly traits. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit inside us that we can possibly love our wacky and often ill-mannered family. But we are called to love them—and our friends and neighbors, as well.

And finally, if devotion is missing from your life then you are probably not growing spiritually. I’m talking about devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to His Word. Devotion is defined as, loyalty or enthusiasm for a person, activity or cause. If your hobbies, entertainment or drive for material success leaves you with no time to read and meditate on God’s Word, then you are missing the most fulfilling and powerful part of the Christian life. If you are devoted to Jesus Christ, then you will yearn to know Him more and to spend real, focused time in prayer—thanking Him, praising Him, and searching out His will for your life.

All of us can sometimes let the busyness of life draw us away from what’s truly important. It’s one of satan’s greatest tools for keeping us unengaged, spiritually stagnant and ineffective in God’s kingdom. Don’t let this be you.

Re-examine your priorities and start today to do what’s important for God’s kingdom and for your spiritual life. Everything else will be burned as hay and stubble in God’s final heavenly bonfire!

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.” John 13:34-35

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins'” 1 Peter 4:8

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Romans 12:10-13

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105

“With my whole heart I have sought you; Oh, let me not wander from your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:10-11

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“For as we have many members in one body, but all do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:4-6

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you? But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

(All scriptures above are NKJV)