In my younger years I loved to play baseball, and I learned quickly that the game itself is only a small part of being on the team. A great deal of time is spent on the basics: daily training in the fundamentals of hitting, catching, picking up ground balls, reacting when the ball is hit to you. We practiced until these things were second nature.
It’s not much different as a Christian on God’s team. The basics of learning, studying, and delving into His Word are important. And Jesus gave us His most fundamental command—to love Him with all that is in us. Every part of our emotions, our life, our intellect, and our physical effort must find their focus in Him.
God’s desire is for our life commitment where a dynamic devotion to Him is cultivated. This comes as we draw near to Him daily, experiencing the warmth of His love. The very reason we can draw near to Him is because He has first sought out us. Never has love been shown so richly as in God’s beautiful plan of rescuing us all from our sins through Jesus.