by Desiree Bustamante

One ingredient is the most important in life.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’”
Matthew 22:37-38 New Living Translation

When you bake cookies, it’s usually best to follow a recipe. But sometimes other bakers like to give their opinions as to what ingredients should be included in your cookies, so they may say you should add more nuts, multiple flavors of chocolate chips, candy pieces or dried fruit. While these may be great suggestions, adding too many ingredients can overwhelm the dough, resulting in cookies that will fall apart after they are baked or turn out dry. Sometimes it’s better to adhere to the foundation of the recipe for the best quality.

We get a lot of advice from other Christians telling us what makes a great Christian life. Sometimes this implies that we are not doing enough for God, as though good works could improve on our salvation. Attending Bible studies twice a week, getting involved in church committees, volunteering for a ministry, not reading certain books or watching TV and other actions seem well-meaning and are not bad in themselves. But sometimes adding more things to do for God may take us away from our relationship with God. We may end up focusing on living the “right” way instead of focusing on The Way, our Lord and Savior Jesus.

We must discern between what “good things” we can do for God’s kingdom from what would lead to a more intimate relationship with Him. All He truly wants is to be first in our lives and to love Him with all our heart. Don’t let all the stuff of life, even though it is good, interfere with spending time with the one who loves you most. There is no magic recipe, but a solid foundation built on His love and presence will always yield the best life in Christ.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado