Occasionally, I listen to motivational podcasts, hoping to glean some tidbits that will help me be more effective in my job and other aspects of my life.

During a morning exercise, I recently listened as a motivational coach asked, “What is your most important activity?” I make it a part of my routine to think about priorities and goals, and I regularly think about the most crucial activity I need to accomplish during the day.

This question was different, though. The coach asked about the activity that drives me, the one that helps me align all the other activities that consume not just my day but the purpose of my life.

Right away, my mind began racing to identify the “one” activity that was most important to me—the activity that defined why I do all that I do. My mind first went to my work. I began to consider the most important activity I must do, which will determine whether I am successful in my career. Being successful in my career determines whether I can adequately care for the people I love.

At that time, God, in His grace, helped me remember that I am to seek Him first in everything I do. When I seek Him first and focus on His will for me, he promises He will guide me to the “more” important life activities (Matthew 6:31-33).

The fact that my thoughts went directly to work shows how our culture can affect how we consider priorities. Although I purposely try to consider everything from a biblical perspective, I sometimes find myself thinking from a worldly perspective. As a follower of Christ, though, I am not to think like a person of this world. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2.” In Colossians, he says it another way, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).”

If I am thinking from a biblical perspective, I can’t think the way the world does. My primary thoughts need to be scripturally centered and focused. All things I consider must be done in light of God’s Word.

As Christians, we belong to Christ, not ourselves or this world. He bought us and paid a very high price for us (Corinthians 6:20). As a result, all of my planning and goals need to be considered through the lens of this foundational truth. Everything we think, say, and do has to have the eternal perspective that we are Christ’s possession. When we see things from this perspective, we see that God has given us a greater purpose than most of us could ever obtain for ourselves (Proverbs 3:5-6).

So, what is my “one most important activity”? To love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and to love others more than I love myself (Matthew 22:37-40). In expressing my love for Him and others, I am to share the good news of Jesus with all the world, starting in the areas closest to me, my home and West End Church (Matthew 28:18-20).

It’s hard not to think or make decisions from a cultural or worldly perspective. Over our lives, we have learned that doing so is normal. A change of perspective will take work, but remember, as believers, we are already participants in the greatest change process imaginable; we are being changed into the likeness of our Lord Jesus (Romans 8:29).

As we emulate Jesus, we should remember that His primary purpose was to do the will of the Father (John 6:38). When considering the activities that guide our lives, doing the will of the Father should be our first and only consideration.