Jesus to the Rich Young Ruler: “One thing you lack—the Gospel” Mk.10:21.
Jesus to Martha: “Only one thing is necessary” Luke 10:42.
King David: “One thing I desire of the LORD…” Ps. 27:4.
The Apostle Paul: “One thing I do…” Phil. 3:13.
Lord Jesus, we are so grateful you don’t “mince words,” “pull punches,” “beat around bushes,” or “hem and haw.” You never intended our lives to become fragmented and frazzled; but freed, focused, and filled with you. You don’t get your feelings hurt when you’re not “first in our lives,” because you didn’t come to be first, but our everything—life itself (Phil.1:21; Col.3:4).
Though, by your generosity, we get to do all kinds of wonderful things in life, you never hope to hear any of us say: “Here are the eleven things I dabble in.” Rather, “Here is the one thing that is my main thing: Knowing, loving, and serving Jesus.”
The Rich Young Ruler had many things—really, everything but the essential thing—you, Jesus, you. You had Martha, but many other things “had” Martha. King David’s unharnessed desires took him to destructive choices and outcomes, until you, Jesus, became his “one thing.” The Apostle Paul was capable of out multi-tasking any of us, but his “one thing” was “the excellency of knowing you” (Phil.3:8-9). Jesus, if this has never been true of us, make it so. If “it’s been a while,” we’re ready for that “while” to be over. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.