The One Thing!

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13

Paul knew that he really needed to focus on “One thing” and names it. This is a challenge for you and I to ask ourselves today: “What’s the One thing I can do this summer such that by doing it everything else will be easier to manage?" You can journal it and then do follow-up on regular basis. Paul was reminding us that we don’t have to look back at past relationships, memories, failures, temptations, things that might distract from a single-minded focus on following Christ wholeheartedly.

Martha was also reminded that: “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42. Martha worried and was upset about many things. She was reminded that only few things are essential and needed. Martha was definitely doing a good thing but it was at the wrong time.  Jesus meant that taking the time to sit at His feet and listen to His word like her sister Mary did was the only essential thing at that time.

Then David said: ”The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” Psalm 27:4. This is a desire to live constantly in God's presence, not just for a moment, but for a lifetime. This reflects a longing to be near the dwelling place of God.  It signifies a commitment to maintaining unbroken, daily communion relationship with Him. 

Paul, Mary, and David encourage us to live in close fellowship with God, seeking His presence daily, not just in church settings, but in our personal everyday lives! Prioritizing our time with God, simplifying distractions, creating intentional quiet moments, and aligning our goals with spiritual growth are key. The beautiful thing is that individually we are known by God right from the beginning even before we were in our mother’s womb, stated so clearly in Jeremiah 1:5.

Pray your response to the Lord personally, meaningfully and genuinely.

Reflect:

Where do you see God in your current situation?

Is there someone in your life this week that you could encourage about the “One Thing!