Wherever We Land

God is the most important thing in my life. Once, someone asked me which God I believed in. I was surprised by the question because I thought any logical person would know there’s only one God. After all, God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8).

I always try to remember what Jesus said when asked about the most important commandment. He said there are two. The first is to love God above all else, and second, love your neighbor as yourself. Putting God first guides me towards making the right decisions in life.

That’s why my belief in God is so important. When you put God above all else, you see the world differently than someone who doesn’t believe. You become more appreciative of life and the time God has given you on earth. You realize that time is the only truly valuable thing we have, so we need to be mindful of how we spend it.

Imagine chasing fortune and fame all your life, only to achieve your goals and look up to find yourself old with little time left on earth. By putting God first, you focus on what truly matters, such as seeking God and spending time with your family. Let’s not forget – loving your neighbor.

The word “neighbor” in Leviticus 19:18 (NABRE) doesn’t just mean the person next door. The Hebrew word “rea” means “friend,” “companion,” or “associate,” similar to the root word for “to associate with.” In simpler terms, a neighbor is someone who treats you well, following the old saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

That’s my definition of being neighborly. I’ve learned that when you put God above all and love your neighbor, all the other commandments naturally follow. So, when anyone asks how important God is to me, my answer is always – most important!