This One Thing

Contributor:
Chad Roberts

Many years ago, I was in Minneapolis listening to an old missionary. I’ll never forget the outline she shared. I cannot remember her name, but I remember her story and I remember what she shared from Scripture. It impacted me then and it impacts me still today. I want to share it with you in hope’s that it encourages and strengthens your own faith.

She never married, but lived her entire adult life serving the less fortunate in Africa. She faced great dangers, was raped on several occasions. Yet as she shared her life’s story with a room full of pastor’s, we could see the joy in her face. While her life was not easy, her life was used greatly by God. I have no doubt that her eternal reward will be great.

She said that she lived her life by one great theme, “This One Thing.” It was very special to me. I hope it becomes special to you.

This One Thing I Know (Our Past)
She first shared the story of the Blind man Jesus healed in John 9:25, “He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

This is the testimony of every believer. We were once blind in sin, unable to see the glory of God or the beauty of salvation. Paul describes it like this, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” 2 Corinthians 4:4.

Is it any wonder he teaches us to pray for loved ones like this, “Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:18.

We should never lose sight of the great miracle of salvation that has happened in our lives. We should consistently go back and thank the Lord for saving us!

This One Thing I Do (Our Present)
She then shared Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:13-14.

Think of all the responsibilities of the Apostle Paul. He planted numerous churches in multiple cities in many different countries and cultures. He did this without any technology or communication methods like we have today. Do you really think Paul had leisure time? Do think he had time to stop and pray? He didn’t, but he made time. Spiritual growth was the priority of his life. He consistently pressed.

I love this word, “Press.” In the original language of the New Testament, it literally means to strain muscles. The word picture is of a runner in the Olympic games reaching for the finish line. Paul says that he “stretches” or “presses” toward the mark. You cannot do this when you stuck in the past.

I have met so many Christians who, “Used to serve God.” They brag about how much they “used” to do. What are you doing right now today? I have met other Christians who feel they cannot serve God because they have failed in their past. I think Paul is saying whether you failed or excelled in the past, you need to forget it and move into the present. You should be actively serving God today!

This One Thing I Seek (Future)
Lastly, she took us to Psalm 27:4, “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.” Think how many believers have fallen off track? They are away from the Lord and away from His house. They no longer attend Church because something happened. Perhaps they were hurt, or offended? Maybe they fell prey to the cares of life or the busyness of work? Whatever the case, they should once again begin seeking the Lord.

Note carefully what King David said how seeking the Lord looked like for him. He said, “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” Then he says, “To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

Does God’s house have this type of priority in your own life? Are you looking upon the beauty of Jesus? Do you inquire of His will? Do you enjoy the fellowship of God and His people? If not, get yourself back into the House of the Lord. It is where you belong!

“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” Hebrews 10:25.