9 Ways to Keep God at the Center of Your Life

Hi friends, do you ever struggle to keep God at the center of your life? It is a daily challenge, especially in a world full of distractions. And while distractions can be good or bad (hello housekeeping!), we are called to use discernment and to choose not just the good things, but the best things. Keeping God at the center of it all takes a daily commitment.

You may be asking “why bother”

Whether you are a new Christian or in need of a reminder (I know I can use them), there are several benefits that result from a God-centered life.

Let’s talk fruit: in relationship He is able to cultivate the fruits of the spirit within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. All valuable, right? We want them all! But lets focus an a couple here:

Peace

He offers us “the peace of God that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), a peace that can only be found in relationship with Him. He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27) Believers, He has already given us a measure of His peace! It is accessible to us at all times! Now we talk about peace and can kinda glaze over it- just another word in the Christian vocabulary. But I want to talk about peace- the kind that envelopes you when life gives you a gut wrenching circumstance. If you have experienced it- well, no more needs to be said. And if you have not- well, let’s just say some of us couldn’t survive life without it! This one benefit alone makes all our efforts worthwhile! It truly transcends understanding and enables you to stand when your circumstances knock your feet out from under you.

Love

“God is love” (1John 4:8). And as we grow in relationship with Him, the source of love, we grow in our ability to love Him, ourselves, and one another. “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) I can’t speak for you, but I need help loving others at times- you know, the difficult people in my life. I need help loving myself at times too- if you’ve ever made some Mistakes- note the capital M there- you might know that of which I speak. Grace for ourselves can be a hard lesson to learn, but when we really experience His love- when we really get it- our hearts expand in a way that allows us to love even ourselves. Beyond the fruits of the spirit (I could talk all day here)… let’s talk grace.

Grace

My friends God’s grace is a two-fold promise. Not only are we assured forgiveness through our faith in Jesus Christ, we are also offered His Grace to enable us to do the things that we need to do – you know- the things that you can’t do on your own. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Did you catch that? He works in our weakness! We can look to God to help us through any and every circumstance. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Now some of you may not need His grace the way I need His grace, but let me tell you the good news- you don’t have to do it alone and of your own effort! Wouldn’t it be nice to give it all to God and know that He can and will work on your behalf?

Sanctification

Sanctification – another one of those fancy Christian words- means that God will work in you over time to make you more Christ-like. Through relationship with God we are sanctified, meaning we will continuously experience greater freedom from sin, and purification. Bit-by-bit we will be transformed into the best version of ourselves. Now this is really good news for many reasons, but one of my favorite things about this process of sanctification is the bit-by-bit part. Have you ever tried to transform your life in a week? I have tried. Even now, I could make a laundry list of things I need to work on or would prefer to change. But when I look at that list I feel defeated before I begin. But God wants us just as we are, His loving conviction is gradual, and He wants us to rest in Him while going through that life-long sanctification process! So now that we’ve discussed some of my favorite benefits of living a God-centered life, how do we actually do it? Oh friends, let me count the ways…

9 Ways to Keep God at the Center of Our Lives

Stay in the Word

It may seem obvious, but staying in the Word is a key factor in growing closer to God and keeping Him at the center of our lives. “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) As we engage in reading scripture, God uses His living Word to communicate with us, educate us, transform us, and strengthen our faith. Girl, get out that Bible!

Prayer

Prayer is another opportunity to commune with the God of the universe. Isn’t that amazing? The God of the universe wants to be in ongoing conversation with us! Prayer is an invitation for God to work in our lives! “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God". (Philippians 4:6) Through prayer we can praise Him, thank Him, ask Him to meet our needs and those of others. We can ask His forgiveness when we make mistakes, and we can sit with Him in the quiet of prayer to see what He lays on our hearts. If prayer feels awkward at first, try, try again! There are many Christian books on prayer and while there is no need to be formal or follow any specific pattern, a book might help you to get the feel for prayer.

Worship

Worship keeps God in focus whether we are listening to Christian music alone in the car (the only place I sing audibly), humming a hymn in the shower, or singing in church. Worship is a powerful way to connect with God. It is like conduit between our souls and our Heavenly Father. We are called specifically to it! "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Colossians 3:16) And it’s fun!

Fellowship

Christian fellowship is an important part of the Christian life. Opportunities for fellowship present themselves not only in church, but also as Bible studies, small groups, prayer groups, and volunteering. Even more important is our inner circle. We’ve all heard the studies- we become like our closest friends. When those friends have God at the center of their lives, it is easier to keep Him at the center of ours! These relationships take time to build, but my friend, they are so worth the investment!

Church

Church brings all these things together. It’s the perfect place to hear the Word and gain a greater understanding of it, pray, worship, and have fellowship. Attending church online is a blessing, but there are elements missing when we cannot attend a group service. Obviously there is the lack of fellowship, but the biggest reason I believe attending church is important is because the Holy Spirit is in our midst when we gather there. “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). A large group isn’t required for the Holy Spirit to be present, but I have frequently felt His presence amplified during congregational worship. In addition, the church is called the hands and feet of God- we are called to care for one another in tangible ways. Church offers an avenue to do just that! You’ll find opportunities to serve and may even create your own!

Scripture Memorization

Scripture memorization not only keeps God in His rightful place, it also acts like a storehouse in our souls, storing up God’s promises and provisions for when we need them most. When life happens, plans crumble, and we are face-to-face with our fears or failures, God’s Word works in our hearts and minds. It serves as a reminder, but it also holds power. Speaking scripture over our lives and in prayer has the power to transform our circumstances and the way we react to them.

Meditate on What is Good

Meditate on what is good. “Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Keeping your mind fixed on good things, especially finding something to be grateful for each day, is transformative. So what do you do about the things that aren’t good? Ask yourself if it is yours to change and if making a change aligns with God’s Word. If so, make the change by His grace. If it’s out of your control, give it to God and trust Him to work it out for your good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Choose the Best Things

Using conviction and discernment as a Holy filter ensures that we honor God in our words, decisions, and actions. One area that we are often reluctant to submit to God is our entertainment. Making sure our television shows, movies, music, books and social media usage align with our beliefs and God’s Word enables us to keep Christ at the center of our minds, hearts, and lives. It can be so hard to resist the shows that your friends are binge watching (I know!), but girl- the rewards are worth it!

Make Him the Center of All Things

Now, we can’t, as you well know, get rid of many of the mundane, daily tasks that we might wish to ban from our lives (again- hello housekeeping). What we can do is weave God into the fiber of all that we do in life. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). Serve Him in your housekeeping, in your relationships, in your work. Make time for Him on your calendar and in your daily life. Keep your appointments with Him like you would with a dear friend. When you are interrupted, look for the opportunity in the inconvenience. Consult Him about everything you do.

Final Thoughts

Do all of these suggestions sound overwhelming? Remember these are for encouragement! There is no condemnation here! If God is convicting you to make changes, do it prayerfully and bit-by-bit you will see results! As we make changes to keep God at the center of our lives, we will honor Him. As we grow in relationship with Him it becomes a joy and a privilege to align our choices with His will.