One Thing

By Mike Henry Sr.

My One Thing

In 1989, Rich Mullins released his song My One Thing. I expect I heard the song not long after that. I was a fan. His songs shaped my early faith.

The song is about how the singer wants Jesus to be his One thing. He points out how we seem to think we want one thing, but we really want one more thing. The singer realizes loving and serving Jesus is the true one thing. He doesn’t want to lose the eternal for the things that are passing.

So I searched for “one thing” in the Scriptures.

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; 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. Philippians 3:13-14 NASB

The apostle Paul also used the same Greek phrase in Philippians 3:13-14. Paul said he “presses on” to the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” He does so by forgetting what has passed and by focusing on what lies ahead. Memories and reflections on the past can be forgotten. Everything serves the upward call. The past is irrelevant, possibly for effect, but also related to the importance of focus on Jesus. Above all, Paul focuses on one thing, which is the upward call in Christ. He presses toward that one thing with everything he has.

The Upward Call

Consequently, God calls us to press on toward his upward call, too. How? Begin by remembering that your circumstances are not outside of God’s will. For instance, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” I don’t see any reference to what the “this” is. It must be our present circumstances. “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17.

Our true one thing is the upward call of Jesus. If we’re like Paul, we press toward the upward call in whatever we do. Today, may we take everything we do and give it to Jesus. What will he do with our day? Our words and my deeds serve him. Let’s ask him to use our words and deeds to bless others so he will be visible, and known. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve…” Mark 10:45.

Watch for some other posts on verses with “one thing” in them in the coming days. Or do your own search and share with us.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

Liked this post? Share with your friends & coworkers

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Keep Going? Check out these related posts

An image of a lake with a white hand holding a magnifying camera lens

Living Life on Mission

This post was written by Mike Henry, Sr. of Follower of One. To connect with Mike, see the information in

Verified by MonsterInsights