What's the most important thing in life?

How would you complete this sentence?

“The only thing that counts is…”

What’s the most important thing in life? That’s an important question isn’t it? How you choose to answer that question will do more to determine the course of your life than potentially any other factor. Our priorities share our destinies.

When I was a kid, one of my favorite movies was “City Slickers” with Billy Crystal and Jack Palance. The movie follows the funny escapades of some lifelong friends who are approaching age 40 and trying desperately to hold onto their youth. Their early mid-life crises leads them to try to figure out the secrets of life on a Wild West vacation where these city guys put on their cowboy clothes and participate in an old fashioned cattle drive.

In a pivotal scene, the tough old Cowboy named “Curly” played by Jack Palance shares his philosophy with Billy Crystal’s character, “Mitch”. Sitting by a campfire, Curly asks, “Do you know the secret of life?” Curly smiled and held up one finger and said, “Just one thing.” 

Mitch anxiously leaned forward for the answer and said, “Great! What is it? What’s the one thing?”

Curly gave another sly grin and pointed back at Mitch and said, “That’s what you’ve got to figure out.”

Curly’s Cowboy Wisdom held some truth, but the “secret” of life isn’t meant to be a secret that we’ve got to figure out on our own. When God created us and He created life, He wanted to have the answer, so He told us plainly what’s most important. Here’s the “one thing” that matters most…

“The only thing that counts is…faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6

In essence, love is the only part of life that really counts. The love you have for God and for your family and friends will shape your life and future. Our careers and our looks and our golf game will all someday fall apart, but love has the power to stand the test of time.

As you make your life choices and map out your schedule, remember to reflect back on what actually matters most. Don’t place possessions or pursuits over people. Never value riches over relationships. In the end, your faith, family and friends will be all that matters to you. Don’t make the tragic mistake of waiting until then to discover their true value.

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