One Thing
Our lives seem to be filled with many things. We have things we’d love to do, problems we’d love to solve, challenges we’d love to overcome. We find these things across our physical, spiritual, mental, relational, educational and vocational worlds. Where do you even start?
I’m reading a book at the moment that I’m finding really interesting and helpful. It’s called The One Thing by Gary Keller. He challenges people to ask one question, “What is the one thing that you can do which by so doing, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary.” I’ve found it such a clarifying question in working out what to prioritise.
It reminds me of the well-known account of Mary and Martha. Martha is worried about many things that needed to be done while her sister was just sitting at the feet of Jesus listening.
Notice that Martha was busy with the things that needed to be done. There is no suggestion that her efforts were meaningless. She was trying to be a great host for the guests in her home. But Jesus gently calls her out.
“Martha, Martha… you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one.” Luke 10:41
Worried and upset about many things sounds a lot like me a lot of the time. I wonder if you can relate. And yet Jesus calls Martha away from the many things to the one thing. To sit at His feet and listen.
The more I think about my one thing, the more I realise how many times, across all areas of my life, it really comes down to the same thing. Being in the presence of Jesus. Making sure that I have time to sit at His feet and talk to Him, worship Him and listen to Him in His word.
As a church, we’re going to be making more time for encountering Jesus together whether in corporate prayer, worship nights or in our services and Life Groups. It’s something we’re exploring with our staff team too. But it can also be something you look to do on your own or with 1 or 2 others. Create space to “sit at the feet of Jesus” in worship and adoration. I wonder how many other things will be easier or unnecessary if we prioritise this one thing.
Much love,
Simon
This post is part of the Senior Pastor’s weekly blog. Go to the blog feed >>