One Thing at a Time

“I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3: 13, 14.

One thing possessed Paul.  He avoided all diversion. Athletes are often heard to say, “I have to stay focused.” Undivided and un-diverted attention to the task at hand is essential for success.

At Jesus’ feet Martha criticized Mary.  Of her He said, “One thing is needful” (Luke 10:42).

Nehemiah, the wall-building governor, replied to distracting invitations, “I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down!” (Nehemiah 6:3).

Caution, “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).

“One thing” is the inspiring unspoken theme running through every achieving life. We are not to limp between two opinions. We must learn to say both “yes” and “no.” Yes, to the things of Christ and no to the things of the world. Concentration is essential.

Jim Egan worked at the West Coast Computer Fair in 1977. His job was to help displayers by providing booths and decorations.

Egan was approached by a couple of long-haired kids who wanted some chrome displays to make their booth “look flashy.”  These guys were evidently under-capitalized entrepreneurs. Egan offered to rent them what they wanted. They explained they were low on cash but offered him stock in their new company of which he had never heard. Having such brash young men come and go, Egan said he would accept only hard cash. So Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs kept their stock in their small company they called Apple Computer. Presumably, Jim Egan is still decorating booths for hard cash only.

One thing should motivate us above all else. As one who delights to travel in the Bible Land I try to be observant. Shepherds and their dogs can teach us much. As Christians we should be like sheep dogs. When a shepherd is in the process of giving a command the dog lies down at the shepherd’s feet and looks intently into the shepherd’s eyes.  The dog listens without moving until the command is given. When the dog knows the mind of the master he jumps to his feet to carry out the command. There is another characteristic of the sheep dog. He never stops wagging his tail at any moment. He delights to hear and do his master’s will. So must we.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and delight to happily do His will. This results in a contented productive life.