That One Thing

In one of my favorite scenes from the movie "City Slickers," Curly, the hard-core cowboy, and Mitch, the greenhorn city slicker (played respectively by actors Jack Palance and Billy Crystal), are riding along a trail engaged in an interesting conversation about love, life choices and other existential issues.

At some point Curly turns to Mitch and says, “Do you know what the secret of life is?” Mitch replies, “No, what?” Curly holds up his index finger and says, “This!” Mitch says, “Your finger?”

If you haven't watched the scene, or want to revisit it, you can easily find it online. I recommend the entire movie if you can find the time. It’s a fairly philosophical cowboy comedy.

There are five significant occurrences of the expression  "one thing’" in the Bible.
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1. 1. Psalm 27:4‭-‬5 GNT I have asked the Lord for one thing; one thing only do I want: to live in the Lord 's house all my life, to marvel there at his goodness, and to ask for his guidance. In times of trouble he will shelter me; he will keep me safe in his Temple and make me secure on a high rock.

This is one of the Bible’s most eloquent, emotionally powerful, and visionary verses. We ask a lot of things of God, of ourselves, of others, and of life. But really, there is just “one thing” that really matters and that is, to be near God. To be someone who worships God constantly,

The Psalmist adds “To behold the beauty of the Lord.” To see the Lord would be incredible, but when we see beauty, it’s hard to look away.

The psalmist desire is to live in the Lord’s house. He wants to always be in his presence. Today we have a greater privilege than him. The Holy Spirit lives in us. We are his temple and he can guide us.

“Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you? You don’t belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, lives inside your sanctuary.”-1 Corinthians 6:19

The beauty of the Lord changes us. It's only as we are surrounded by the beauty of God, the wonders of creation, the Scriptures, this is that one thing.
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1. 2. Mark 10:17‭-‬22 GNT As Jesus was starting on his way again, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not accuse anyone falsely; do not cheat; respect your father and your mother.’” “Teacher,” the man said, “ever since I was young, I have obeyed all these commandments.” Jesus looked straight at him with love and said, “You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.” When the man heard this, gloom spread over his face, and he went away sad, because he was very rich.

Jesus had looked into the man’s soul and diagnosed the condition of his heart. You see, on the outside he was doing all the right things, but on the inside his heart was divided. His possessions and his position were competing with God for first place in his life. He had surrendered outwardly to God, but his commitment to him was not absolute. He had not made a total surrender of self. Jesus was not saying that we have to sell everything we have and give it to the poor. No, Jesus was looking into the heart of this particular young man, and Jesus saw that the young man had not relinquished his life unconditionally. For him, his status and stuff had become idols.

He couldn’t do it. At the moment of decision, he could not surrender everything. He turned his back on Jesus and walked away.

What is holding you back? Maybe it’s love for money, maybe pleasures.

Matthew 6:20‭-‬21 GNT Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.

To be a disciple means forsaking everything to follow Jesus, unconditionally, putting our lives completely in His hands. When we say that we want to be His disciple, yet attach a list of conditions, Jesus refuses to accept our terms. His terms involve unconditional surrender.

1. 3. Luke 10:38‭-‬42 TPT As Jesus and the disciples continued on their journey, they came to a village where a woman welcomed Jesus into her home. Her name was Martha and she had a sister named Mary. Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. But Martha became exasperated with finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.”

Martha was too busy to take time to enjoy her friendship with Jesus when he came to her home. Not spending time with Jesus is the biggest mistake you can make in your spiritual life.

Mary had her priorities right. She ‘sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he said’. She realised that, although there were many distractions and worries around, there was nothing more important than simply sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him. This should be your number one priority.

1. 4. John 9:25‭-‬27 NIV He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

This blind man received a miracle and people started questioning him. Do you know who you are in Christ, do you know your identity? This man was not afraid to tell others about his faith. Because Jesus had changed his life.

Don’t be afraid to tell others what Jesus has done in your life. You were also blind once and now you see.
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1. 5. Philippians 3:13‭-‬14 NIV Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We need to follow Paul’s advice. We need to forget what is behind. Don’t allow your past and your fears hold you in your walk with the Lord. There will be times that you face troubles and storms. But keep pressing on – in the end you are going to receive the prize.

If you want to move forward and see progress in your life, you need to forgive yourself and stop blaming yourself. You also need to forgive those who have hurt you. Memories have the power to hold us back.

Believe You are created for love and to love.

These five "one things" speak about our priorities. Things that God wants to call to our attention. Apply these five "one things" and;
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1. 1. Enjoy the guidance of the Holy Spirit- He lives in you
2. 2. Follow him. Love Jesus more the anything else
3. 3. Manage your time – choose to sit at his feet
4. 4. Tell other what he has done for you – I was blind now I see
5. 5. Press on – don’t give up in the middle of the storm.