What One Thing Is Most Important For Your Best Life?

What one thing is the most important to live our best life, God’s way?

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It’s a question I’ve given considerable thought and study.

I believe that finding the correct answer to the question is critical. So critical, that without it we’re doomed.

In this devotional post, I hope to shed light on the one thing that’s most important to live our best life.

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One Thing – Starting at the End

When I set out to write a new Miller’s Creek novel, I often begin with “The End” and work backwards from there.

We did the same thing in the previous post on how to set power-packed goals. Remember when we imagined ourselves at judgment day and even our own funerals?

I want to do that again today by looking at a couple of key verses about the end of time.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus tells a story of being prepared for His return. Five of the virgins in the story were unwise. They went out to meet the bridegroom, but didn’t take along extra oil for their lanterns. In sharp contrast, the five wise virgins had oil stored up in jars to refill their lanterns.

The invitation to meet the bridegroom arrived in the middle of the night, and the lanterns of the unwise virgins began to go out. They were required to leave in order to purchase more oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived and started the party without them.

They knocked on the door, expecting to be let in.

” ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. “Open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ ” Matthew 25:11-12 (NIV)

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A Tale of Twos

In Matthew 7, Jesus compares the end times with tales of twos: two roads, two trees, two professions, and two builders. All the stories are related in their overall message: two very different outcomes for humans based on choices made during this earthly life.

But let’s look specifically at Matthew 7:21-23:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord.’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord.’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…” Matt. 7:21
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The Correlation

Did you catch the correlation between the two passages?

First off, they both refer to Jesus’ return, the time at which we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for our lives.

But secondly, and I believe more importantly (because it deals with why their outcome will result in separation from God), are these words:

“I never knew you!”

My heart melts in fear at those four short words. Can you imagine any worse fate? Lord forbid that we hear Jesus speak those words to us!

Is there anyone who wants to hear Jesus say: “I never knew you!”?
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One Thing – Two Sisters

One of my all-time favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Martha and Mary, two sisters with two very different ways of living their lives.

I’m more like Martha than I care to admit, but I am in recovery. Martha is one of those women with an agenda. She’s even goal-oriented. The only problem? Her goals, while helpful and directed toward service, leave out the most important aspect of life. She totally misses the one thing!

Are you missing the one thing?
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Sure, her house is clean, she’s hand-sewn the new robe she’s wearing, and she has several casseroles and desserts prepared for her important guest and His followers. Stressed out and worried, she fears not winning the Homemaker of the Year award.

Are you a Martha or a Mary? Or maybe a little bit of both?
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Then there’s Mary.

Rather than helping her sister with the nitty-gritty details of serving a crew of hungry men, she plops down at the feet of Jesus, latched on to His every word. She has a soft heart and a strong desire to serve, but in a very different way than her very busy sister.

This soft-hearted servant finds the real treasure of the one thing.

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The One Thing That Matters

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

This passage is perfect for helping us find our best life, God’s way.

First, like Martha, we often miss the one thing that’s needed despite our good intentions. (Scary thought, huh?)

“We can have the best intentions and totally miss the one thing.” @Cathy_Bryant
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Secondly, we only need this one thing in order to live our best lives. In fact, it’s the only way to find that best life!

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NOTHING is more important than having a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus. The only way to do that is spend time at His feet (in prayer and in His Word) learning from Him and developing a relationship with Him.

Though it’s not really a surprise, this is also the one thing that separates Christianity from every other religion on the face of the planet. (More proof that Jesus is the ONLY way!) True Christianity is about a relationship, while all other religions deal with human performance.

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We have absolutely no chance of finding or living our best life if the key ingredient of that relationship is missing. An intimate and right relationship with Jesus IS our one thing!

“An intimate and right relationship with Jesus IS our one thing!” @Cathy_Bryant
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RECENT POSTS:

12 Powerful Verses on Freedom and Following
How to Set Goals for Your Best Life That Actually Work
See How to Best Resolve Conflict to Restore Relationships
How to Absolutely Live Your Best Life


One Thing – Wrap Up

Here are a few key takeaways to find the one thing that enables us to live our best life:

On judgment day, the criteria for either a life with God or separated from Him for all eternity is Jesus knowing us personally. (Remember the ten virgins and the two professions?)
We cannot expect to find our best life apart from an intimate relationship with Jesus.
This relationship, like any relationship, requires spending quality time with our Lord and Savior in prayer and Bible study.
In turn, this one thing relationship becomes the structure for living a life of love and service for God and our fellow man. THAT is our best life!!!

If you’re unsure about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus, please see this post: http://www.catbryant.com/plan-of-salvation/. And if you have any questions, you can contact me here at any time: http://www.catbryant.com/contact-cathy-bryant-christian-fiction-writer/

COMMENT CONVERSATION: Would you agree that only one thing truly matters in finding our best life? Why or why not?

Praying we all find that critical ONE THING,

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