Krishna does not agree to award devotional service to merely anyone. Krishna can easily offer a person material happiness or even liberation, but He does not agree very easily to award a person engagement in his devotional service. Devotional service can in fact be attained only through the mercy of a pure devotee. — The Nectar of Devotion, Page 14.
One who acts to serve Krishna with his body, mind, intelligence and words is a liberated soul, even within this material world.
The manifestation of unadulterated devotional service is exhibited when one’s mind is at once attracted to hearing the transcendental name and qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is residing in everyone’s heart.
Srimad Bhagavatam 3.29.11-12,
Srila Prabhupada
Devotional Service is just like a seed sown in the heart of a living entity and if he goes on hearing & chanting, that seed fructifies, just as the seed of a tree fructifies with regular watering. Thus the spirtitual plant of devotional Service grows gradually.
Meditation means stopping all nonsensical activities, at least for the time being. Devotional service, however, not only puts an end to all nonsensical mundane activities, but also engages one in meaningful devotional activities. — The Nectar of instruction, Text 02
Always remember why you have joined ashrama or ISKCON. The real purpose of doing so is to be engaged in devotional service.