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 meditate in His temple. (Psalm 27:4)

What is your one thing? We live in an age of dramatic distraction and there are many things we may dabble at, but what is your on thing? When King David was facing life-threatening circumstances, rather than focusing on his problems, he chose to focus on God. David demonstrated an example of single-mindedness in his devotion to God. What is the one thing most important in your life? The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

We see the importance of a single-minded focus on God throughout the Scriptures. In the Gospel of Luke, Mary demonstrated this principle as she sat at the feet of Jesus. Martha thought that her sister should be helping with the dinner preparation, but Jesus responded:

“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)

That which is good may be the enemy of the best. Consider the man born blind in John 9. When the Pharisees questioned him:

He therefore answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25)

Jesus radically changed the man’s life as he gave him sight. Paul demonstrated a single-minded purpose as he encouraged the Philippians:

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, (Philippians 3:10)

We can’t go forward while looking at the rear-view mirror. A Chinese proverb states, “if you chase two rabbits, both will escape.” A failure to have the proper focus can cause us to miss the ultimate treasure as Jesus spoke with the rich young ruler:

Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Mark 10:21)

The one thing he lacked was keeping God first in his life. What is the one thing Jesus would say to you? Søren Kierkegaard declared that “purity of heart Is to will one thing”.

Seneca pointed out that “When a man does not know what harbor he is headed for no wind is the right wind.” As we must develop focus in our lives, we will exclaim, “I was born for this!”