The Importance of God and Keeping Him as Your Focus

Throughout our earthly journey, we encounter many lessons, but a few rise above the rest as pillars upon which a life of faith and purpose is built. In the coming weeks, I will share with you four such pillars that have become the foundation of my walk with the Lord: the importance of God and keeping Him as your focus, the importance of family, the simplification of life, and being healthy to serve God. These four principles are not only deeply personal to me—they are essential for anyone seeking to live a life pleasing to the Lord. Today, we begin with the first and most essential pillar: the importance of God and keeping Him as your focus. All other truths find their meaning and strength in this one foundational truth.

As we prepare our hearts for this message, let us meditate upon the words of our Savior found in Matthew 6:33 (ESV): “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This verse will serve as the guiding light for our reflection today, reminding us that when God is placed first, all else in life finds its rightful place.

In every believer’s life, there comes a time of reflection—a moment when we pause to look back at where the Lord has brought us from and forward to where He is leading us. It is in such moments of clarity and stillness before God that the most profound lessons often emerge. Through prayer, Scripture, and personal experience, I have come to recognize four foundational truths—four pillars—that have shaped not only my own walk with Christ but have also stood as guiding principles in the ministry to which I have been called. These four pillars are as follows: first, the importance of God and keeping Him as your focus; second, the importance of family; third, the simplification of your life; and fourth, being healthy in order to serve God effectively. Each of these truths is a gift of wisdom, not born out of theory, but through the trials and triumphs of a life surrendered to Christ.

While we will explore each pillar individually in the coming weeks, we begin today with the first and most critical: the importance of God and keeping Him as your focus. This truth is not merely foundational—it is essential. Without God at the center of our lives, all other pursuits and priorities become misaligned. Just as the hub of a wheel holds all the spokes together, so too must the Lord occupy the central place in our hearts and minds, anchoring all other aspects of our lives in His righteousness, truth, and love. Let us now turn our hearts to this pillar and examine it with reverence and humility.

Life, in its unpredictable and often turbulent nature, requires an anchor—something steady, unwavering, and eternally dependable. Without such an anchor, we are easily tossed by the waves of circumstance, emotion, and worldly distraction. That anchor, for every believer, must be God. He alone is our sure foundation, our refuge in times of trouble, and our guide through every valley and storm. When we place God at the very center of our lives—not as an afterthought or occasional priority, but as our foremost focus—we find a strength and peace that the world cannot offer.

The Psalmist declares with conviction in Psalm 16:8, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” This is not merely poetic sentiment—it is a declaration of spiritual positioning. When our gaze is fixed on the Lord, we are not easily moved, discouraged, or deceived. Similarly, the author of Hebrews urges us to remain steadfast by “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). To live a God-focused life is to walk with purpose, clarity, and assurance, knowing that the One who holds the universe also holds our future. In every decision, in every season, and through every trial, God must remain the anchor of our souls.

When God is not the central focus of our lives, the consequences are both subtle and severe. Our hearts, if left unchecked, are prone to wander, often seeking meaning and security in things that are temporal, unstable, and ultimately unfulfilling. The world is full of alluring distractions—material wealth, personal achievement, social validation, even good and noble responsibilities like ministry or family. While these things are not inherently wrong, they become spiritual stumbling blocks when they occupy the throne of our hearts where only God belongs. Misplaced focus can lead to spiritual dryness, emotional fatigue, and a disoriented sense of purpose.

We see a vivid illustration of this truth in the story of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14:29–30. When Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he did the impossible—he walked upon the waves. But the moment he shifted his gaze to the wind and the waves, fear overtook him, and he began to sink. This moment reveals a powerful lesson for us all: distraction leads to doubt, and doubt leads to descent. Whether it is the storm of adversity or the comfort of success, anything that draws our eyes away from the Lord will eventually cause us to falter. To keep God as our focus is not merely a preference—it is a spiritual necessity for living a life of unwavering faith.

Keeping God at the center of our lives is not a passive desire—it is an intentional, daily pursuit that requires discipline, humility, and a heart attuned to His will. It begins with a steadfast commitment to daily devotion and prayer. Just as the body requires nourishment each morning, the soul must also be fed by the living Word and refreshed in the presence of the Lord. A God-focused life starts by inviting Him into each day before the world makes its demands. In prayer, we do not merely speak—we listen, we align, and we surrender. The more time we spend in communion with our Heavenly Father, the more clearly we hear His voice amid the noise of life.

Secondly, we must saturate our minds with Scripture. The Word of God is our compass, our lamp, and our shield. When His Word dwells richly within us, it governs our thoughts, tempers our emotions, and fortifies our decisions. Thirdly, we must practice God-first decision-making. In all things—small or great—we must ask, “Will this glorify God? Does this draw me closer to Him or further away?” When God is at the center, our choices reflect His wisdom rather than our impulses. Lastly, we are called to live a lifestyle of worship. Worship is not confined to Sunday mornings or sacred spaces. It is expressed in every act of obedience, kindness, and sacrifice offered unto the Lord. Whether we are at work, at home, or among strangers, every moment becomes an opportunity to exalt God and reflect His presence. In these ways, we actively and intentionally keep God at the center of all we are and all we do.

When we intentionally place God at the center of our lives, the results are both transformative and enduring. The first and perhaps most treasured result is peace that surpasses all understanding—a deep, abiding calm that steadies the soul even in the midst of chaos. This peace is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging character of God. As Paul writes in Philippians 4:6–7, when we bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving, His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Alongside this peace comes a clarified sense of calling and purpose. Life no longer feels directionless or burdensome. When God is our focus, our steps are ordered, and our path is made straight.

Furthermore, a God-focused life empowers us to withstand adversity with unshakable faith. Like the house built on the rock in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 7:24–25), we may face storms, but we will not fall, for our foundation is secure. Our joy becomes deeper and more resilient, not subject to fleeting emotions or worldly gain. Contentment begins to replace restlessness, and eternal truths begin to outweigh temporary concerns. Most importantly, when God is our focus, our lives become living testimonies of His grace and goodness, drawing others to Him not merely through our words, but through the unwavering witness of a life anchored in Him. In all these ways, the fruit of a God-centered life glorifies the One who made us and enables us to serve Him with gladness and purpose.

As we draw this message to a close, it is important to recognize that the remaining three pillars—though distinct—are all deeply connected to this first and most foundational truth. Without God as our focus, even the most well-intentioned priorities can become unbalanced or misdirected. In the coming weeks, we will reflect upon the sacred value of family, the freeing discipline of simplifying one’s life, and the God-honoring responsibility of caring for our health so that we may serve Him more effectively. Each of these principles will be examined through the lens of Scripture and personal testimony, with the aim of helping every believer build a life that is spiritually strong, practically ordered, and wholly surrendered to the will of God. But let it be firmly understood—without first seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all other pursuits are in vain. As Jesus taught, when we place Him first, “all these things will be added unto us” (Matthew 6:33). May this truth guide us as we prepare to receive the next message in this series.

Beloved, I urge you today to take time in solemn reflection and earnest prayer. Ask yourself: Is God truly the center of my life? Have you given Him not just a place, but the highest place in your heart, your decisions, your desires, and your daily walk? If your focus has been scattered or misplaced, now is the moment to realign. Return to Him—not with hesitation, but with full surrender. Begin this week by establishing a sacred rhythm: start each day in prayer, open His Word before the noise of the world reaches your ears, and seek His guidance in every task and thought. Let worship be your posture, not just in song, but in service, humility, and thanksgiving. Journal the ways in which God is speaking to you and take inventory of where your attention and energy are being spent. Are they honoring Him?

Moreover, be intentional in encouraging others to do the same. Share this message with someone who may be drifting or discouraged, and offer to walk alongside them as a brother or sister in Christ. When we help one another keep our focus on God, we build a fellowship that is unshakable and radiant with divine purpose. Let this week be the beginning of a renewed and centered life—one in which the Lord is glorified not just in our worship, but in our witness.

As we conclude this message and prepare our hearts for the days ahead, let us take comfort and courage in the promises of God. One of the most cherished verses in all of Scripture reminds us of the blessing that flows from a life focused on Him: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6, NKJV). These sacred words are not merely instruction—they are an invitation to walk hand-in-hand with the Almighty, to place every care, every question, and every burden into His capable hands. When we lean upon His wisdom rather than our own, and when we acknowledge Him in all that we do, the path forward is illuminated by His divine light.

So, I say to you, “May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.”