One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek…Ps 27:4
It’s hard to believe that we’re half way through January. The new year is moving full speed ahead. What was your New Year’s resolution? In the last two weeks, how’s it going so far? Is your resolve still strong and are your efforts still vibrant? Or are you already settling back into familiar habits?
It’s good to challenge ourselves to want to do better. Without goals we rarely experience the joy of accomplishment, growth and progress. However, I believe it’s safe to say that passion is a vital component to whatever it is we hope to achieve. Without a burning inner core, every lofty ideal will soon fizzle out.
Over the last several years I’ve narrowed in on the one thing. I believe it has the greatest value of all goals and resolutions. When it comes to all the things that I’ve ever hoped to achieve, this one still grips my heart like nothing else has.
I have several favorite men and women of the bible but there are three who constantly challenge my “one thing passion”, David, Paul, and Mary. Each of their lives was complex. Each of them faced ecstasies and obstacles, tears and triumph. Theirs was a mixed bag of life just like you and me. But scripture reveals that these saints possessed a resolve, a core longing that transcended beyond the boundaries of their earthly plight.
It was David who penned, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall 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.”
It was Paul who said, “but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:13-14
When Jesus and the disciples came to the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, He spoke words to His dear hostess that have rung out through the generations. Martha wanted to bless Jesus with the best. She wasted no time in getting preparations under way and probably envisioned how pleased her guests would be. About the time that her deodorant stopped working, Martha lost sight of Who was sitting in her house. Now she becomes irritated with her lazy sister.
When Martha vented her frustration I think the whole room may have echoed the sentiment “awkward”. Then Jesus, in typical God like fashion gently spoke these words, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
This is the one thing that I’m still resolved to pursuing in my life, knowing Jesus. Yes, there have been many pursuits that have piqued my interest over the years. But this one thing calls me back with it’s whispers.
As the days are quickly adding up in this new year we will you join me in this “one thing” passion?
Give me one pure and holy passion.
Give me one magnificent obsession.
Jesus, give me one glorious ambition for my life:
To know and follow hard after You.
To grow as Your disciple in the Truth,
This world is empty, pale, and poor
Compared to knowing You my Lord.
Lead me on, and I will run after You.