YOUR "ONE THING"
On The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson was interviewing hotel magnate Conrad Hilton. Carson asked his guest, “If you could say one thing to the American people, what would it be?”
Looking into the camera, Hilton stated, “When you take a shower at one of my hotels, please place the shower curtain INSIDE the bathtub.”
Really!? Given an opportunity to speak to millions of people… that’s the best he could do? But I suppose from his perspective, that one request could save millions of dollars in upkeep.
That got me thinking. How would I respond, if someone asked me, “What’s your one thing?” The obvious “church answer” would be “Love the Lord with all your heart…” (Matthew 22:37). And, of course, that’s correct. But let’s dive deeper. What does that look like in daily life?
For David, it was this. “One thing only do I want: to live in the Lord's house all my life, to marvel there at his goodness…” (Psalm 27:4). Passionately living in God’s Presence. That doesn’t sound so bad!
In different seasons of life, how we apply our “one thing” might change. It could be serving your spouse during a time of special need, not trying to “fix them,” but just modeling Christ’s love. Perhaps it’s battling an addiction, or slowing down and enjoying nature. Sometimes, it comes in unexpected ways.
When my grandson Liam was four, he begged me to read him a bedtime story one night. I was wiped-out after a busy day, and had less fuel than a dry gas tank. But the look in his eyes compelled me. I walked next door, where his family lives, and delivered a rousingly dramatic rendering of The Three Little Pigs. Trudging back home, I sensed the Lord saying, “That was the most important thing you did today!”
At that moment, I laughed. At least ten things came rushing to mind of greater importance than The Three Pigs! But God was speaking to me, because I NEVER would have considered such a crazy thought. Then it hit me. Often, what God values most, doesn’t seem very important to me. His “one thing” and mine, don’t always match. I smiled, sensing God’s pleasure, relishing the delight of sharing this moment with him. There’s no greater joy than aligning our lives with his “one thing”—whether it’s The Three Pigs, or a shower curtain. So… what’s your “one thing?”
Principle: In different seasons how we apply our “one thing” in life can change.
Promise: There’s no greater joy in life than aligning our lives with God’s “one thing” for us.
Ponder:
What is the “one thing” for me that never changes?
During this season if life, how do I apply that “one thing?”
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Matthew 22:34-40?
Prayer: “Lord, shape me according to your unique call on my life. Let my ‘one thing’ align with your purpose for me.”