One Thing
Psalm 27: 4
One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.
We live in a world of many things. Much, clamors for our attention. Stress is normal; burn out is common. Distracted and overwhelmed, we live aware of many things and overlook the one thing. David’s heart however yearned for the presence of the Lord. His desire was to live focused on the Lord, and to fellowship with Him.
As king over God’s people, commander in chief of a mighty army, and husband to many wives, David faced numerous challenges and responsibilities. He grappled with many issues, made multiple decisions, fought battles, and governed a kingdom. Yet, amidst all these demands, David sought one thing above all else. It wasn’t one because it was alone; it was one because it was primary. It was first in his heart and first in his life.
Throughout his years as a shepherd, his journeys as a fugitive, and his life as a king, David’s deepest longing was for the presence of God. This was the one thing that consumed his heart, directed his thoughts, and motivated his actions.
For some, desire is simply an inner longing, a “wouldn’t-it-be-nice” scenario rather than a life-directing passion. It’s a “one day, someday” dream rather than a driving force. Controlled by the clock, the calendar, and an ever-increasing to-do list, they simply ignore their desires and negate their passion. However, God given desire is to fuel our life and motivate our actions. Without it, we bump through life, meeting deadlines and missing purpose. We live empty and dry as we work a job and fulfil expectations, yet never come to terms with why we are alive
David knew his heart, what he longed for, and furthermore, he sought it. His desire wasn’t realized because he recognized it. It happened because he pursued it. Other things had to be pushed aside to make the one thing his primary focus. As a result, he brought the ark of God back to Jerusalem and placed it within a tent. What followed was unprecedented. The ark, once shrouded within the Holy of Holies and glimpsed only by the High Priest, was now surrounded by worshippers. It became the central focus of the city, and in the process, the passion of one became the experience of many.
In contrast, let’s look at the life of Martha.
Luke 10: 38 - 42
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
Jesus chided Martha because she was worried and troubled about many things. Sadly, those words describe most of us. Martha felt the weight of hosting Him and His disciples. After all, she had invited God Himself into her home. With confidence high, she had gathered the supplies and assigned the tasks. She and Mary had hosted many before and this time would be no different. Such assumptions fell flat as Mary joined the guests and seated herself at Jesus’ feet. Oblivious to cultural norms and Martha’s stress, Mary simply sat and listened. Talk about stress. We’ve all been there. The demands are great, the resources few and those we thought would help, fail to deliver. Frustration mounts and we wonder why no one notices or cares that we are struggling alone.
Jesus knew her need and saw her frustration yet gently rebuffed her request. One thing was needed; and it wasn’t lunch. One thing was needed, and Mary had chosen it; Martha had not. The failure to choose the one thing, meant that the many things overwhelmed. What started as a joy became a weight and her serving turned to complaining as frustration rose and accusation found its voice.
One thing is needed. It is not an optional extra, a perk for the wealthy, or a bonus for the retired. It is needed; it is essential. It is the anchor we hold to in a hectic world, the strength we draw on when we have nothing more to give, and the peace that we feed off when demands mount and emotions fracture. It is also the portion we miss most when we allow it to be stolen by others’ expectations and life’s demands.
One thing is needed. It is needed because only by being centered on the “one” can the many be handled with grace. How often have we learned this the hard way? Like Martha, we easily become frustrated, overwhelmed, and resentful of others. We see our circumstances as demanding and our options few. Sadly, one thing is not the only thing. Life has its demands and people have their expectations. However, one thingis needed, and that one thing is our choice. It is not given; it is chosen. The one thing is something we must seek, purpose to pursue and repeatedly choose.
Even good things can rob us of the one thing. Martha after all was serving the Lord. The Greek word used here for serving is diakonia, the word used for ministry. Ministering to and for God is surely the highest call of our life? Or is it? Jesus rebuked Martha for choosing it above the one thing. The one thing that Mary chose, and Martha missed, was simply to sit and listen. Time with the Lord, receiving from Him was the good partthat Martha failed to lay hold of. She was busy, distracted, anxious, worried, and alone. These words should not define those who minister, but sadly they often do. If we are to be everything that God intends for us to be, then we need to desire, seek, and repeatedly choose the good part – the one thing that will keep our heart connected and our soul fed.
One thing is seeking Him before all the other things. One thing is hearing His voice before we respond to the call of the many. It is sitting at His feet, before we become His feet, to a waiting world. One thing is more than a desire; it is a pursuit. It is something to seek and repeatedly choose. It will not find us; we must find it. It is the “good part” that is ours only because we fight for first to remain first, and not be relegated to second, or later, or one day when we have time. There is only one thing that will feed our soul, give us peace, and furnish us with the wisdom and strength to do life well. That one thing is Him.
Consider:
What does it look like to make “the one thing” a pursuit and not just a desire?
What excuses and demands crowd out “the one thing”?
Prayer Prompt:
Jesus, so much weighs on my heart, and I constantly feel worried, overwhelmed and alone. What does my heart need to know?
Lord, how do I deal with the many things while seeking the one thing?
There’s a passion that stirs in my heart, but I have relegated it to another season, another time. What are Your thoughts regarding stewarding the desires of my heart?
