What’s the most important thing in life?

Last updated on: January 23, 2014 at 11:32 am by Dave Willis

What’s the most important thing in life? 2014-01-23T11:32:49-05:00 Dave Willis

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

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.

For daily encouragement and a free ebook, please join our spam-free, email list.

Inspiration and Encouragement

Life Tools

Previous Post

January 22, 2014

3 things you should NEVER do on Facebook (to protect your real life relationships while online)

Next Post

January 28, 2014 The 7 reasons marriages fail.

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Study Family and Parenthood General Inspiration and Encouragement Life Tools Marriage Uncategorized Videos

Select a Month August 2022 May 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What book comes after Proverbs?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ecclesiastes Daniel Isaiah Psalms

Books by This Author Books by Dave Willis

See All Titles »