“True purpose comes from devoting time to humbly being with Jesus. When we prioritize anything else, we lose sight of who we are meant to be.”

-Grace Valentine

1. Prioritize God above all else. I think we all assume this is common sense, but in reality, do we always prioritize God above our devices, social gatherings, or possibly even our hobbies? There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these things, but if they come before time with God, they can easily weaken one’s relationship with Him or even become a form of idolism. Balance with everything in life is key; work, lifestyle choices, community and spiritual duties, but above all, seeking God and devoting sacred time with Him is most important. If you find it hard to make time in your busy life, set appointed times throughout your day to spend uninterrupted quality with Him. It’s the effort and the time spent with Him that truly matters. Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

2. Prayer. Prayer is one of the many ways we communicate with God and it’s one of the most important ways we can spend time with Him. God adores the time spent with all of His children and it’s in that time we meet on a spiritual level. Many times, prayer is when breakthrough happens and miracles happen. There is power in prayer. One great way to prioritize prayer is by creating a prayer room is safe place to devote to prayer. Philippians 1:19 “For I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”

3. Get into the Word of God. Dedication to Scripture helps us in many ways. It’s one of the most important ways we obtain knowledge and wisdom from God. The Bible has so many stories of real people of faith and the life is Jesus while He was here on earth. All these books in the Bible are meant to help guide us to a better life united with Jesus and to help us lead others to Him as well. The Word of God serves as a divide, official guide for faith and life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”

4. Worship in Spirit. Worship is one powerful way we can experience the Spirit of God. Worship is focused on welcoming, honoring, and encountering the Holy Spirit. It brings us closer in a truly unimaginable and indescribable way unless you have truly experienced it for yourself. The power of the Holy Spirit manifest to all believers in the form of worship. When we worship, the Spirit empowers and transforms, ultimately bringing God’s presence to believers, creating unity within, and enabling us to worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:24 ““God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

5. Surrender control. This one may seem different from the others, but this is the 1st step in a believer’s life in prioritizing God in their life. We all want to control every outcome in our lives, but when you give your life to God, it means complete and total surrender. This takes time, but it’s absolutely essential in order to live out the will God has in store for us all. Living out our purpose and being obedient to His calling is a truly honorable way to prioritize God and His love for us. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Scripture:

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Colossians 3:1-2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Matthew 22:37-38 “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{[a] 38} This is the first and greatest commandment.”