One Thing

“And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41-42

Recently I started listening to a series of teachings by Keith Moore called “Transformed.” I didn’t start with the first sermon and go in order from there like I normally do. Two of the sermons at the bottom of the list entitled “One Thing” caught my eye. I had been particularly busy and was feeling a bit overwhelmed – “One Thing” sounded like what I needed!

As I listened to Brother Moore teach on this well known section of Scripture, I was shown that my priorities had become skewed again. But even more importantly, the Holy Spirit began to show me that I while I was getting things done for work or around the house, I was spending a lot of time mulling over and being anxious about the things I still had to do. Of course we all know what happens when your mind isn’t on the task at hand – things get messed up. 

So, the Lord began to impress upon me to do just “one thing” at a time. For example, that very same day I was busy making brownies for my daughter’s upcoming birthday party and in my mind pops five other details that still had to be handled. For a moment I let the thoughts go, and in a matter of seconds, stress began to rise up. Just at that moment the Holy Spirit reminded me about “one thing,” and I said out loud, “Right now, my ‘one thing’ is making brownies!” And with that tiny act of obedience to the Word of God, the stress left, giving me the opportunity to enjoy making the brownies.

What about you? Have you been feeling stressed and overwhelmed lately? I encourage you to start with the Word and prayer, asking the Lord to order your steps for that day and give you direction. God knows exactly what the day will bring, and what your actions today will accomplish – good or bad – in the future. Rely on Him to guide you. Set your priorities according to His priorities, and there won’t be a single mess that can shake you!

"He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps." Psalm 40:2