This is how John ends his first epistle so you know it’s one of his most important and pressing issues he wants to get across.
"Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts." - 1 John 5:21
So many things flood our lives throughout the day. Success, materialism, and even though it might not be replacing God, add it all up and it sure can crowd God right out of our hearts.
Guilty. Right here.
How often that happens. It's like planning for a first birthday party, marriage, baptism/dedication, big business deal. So many times the planning, the activities, and the hype crowd out the real reason to celebrate. Sometimes our blessings that God alone has given us, we have allowed to crowd him right out.
The only way to combat... Slow down, take a breath and breathe in all of God into your hearts. Rewire your focus, your brain. Get into a study, a quiet morning with him to start your day off right. Create moments where life is focused on Him and Him alone.
Praying God alone fills our hearts.