My One Thing

Starting today, I was thinking of all the many things on my to-do list. Go get gas. Meet up with a friend. Work on school work. Prepare for a weekend conference. I am now at home in the time I had planned on working on all the many different projects. In the Lord’s fire of His Presence, He has changed my perspective over the things I had to do. My Geology homework reading can wait. I honestly am not super giddy about reading it anyway! I know my Savior has been sitting right next to me at the kitchen table where my binders and pens lie. How can I avoid His all-encompassing Presence?

Jesus’ Presence that sparks within you and resides in you can change your life and perspective for the day too, my friend. Is He your One thing? 

While praying a minute ago, I was given the thought of Jesus being my One thing. I absolutely love hanging out with people and get excited whenever I do so. The truth is that my time with the Lord cannot be matched by anyone or anything else. Many of us see God’s Word as another obligation on our to-do lists. We see worship as a quick thing to do on a ride to school or work. We might whisper up a prayer whenever we know someone has a dire need. Honestly, we all have a dire need, and His Name is Jesus.

I’m in awe of the different gifts, abilities, personalities, and perspectives God has placed inside each of His children. We are all different. We all choose to express love in different ways.

I’m imagining my time with the Lord and want to include you in having a glimpse of the Lord’s deep desire for you.

I’ll put some old tennis shoes on (some that I have had since middle school) and sometimes grab a puffy black coat with a broken zipper. My hair is usually a mess. No makeup seals my face. My leggings don’t match my outfit, and my socks are pulled up in a way that’s out of style. I rush off to the long rock path beside my home. Sweet songs erupt from my mouth. I know that when Jesus speaks, moves, or does anything, I am changed.

This path has only existed for a few years, but my walks and talks with Jesus outside have been happening since I gave my life to Him almost five years ago. Whenever I am on the phone with anyone, sitting still is my biggest battle. If I am talking with someone, I am usually walking.

Jesus has given me growth but has also watched it take place over the past few years. My path and time with Him in the woods is a place where only He and I go. I have prayed that He protects our conversations from those who start to follow us. We sometimes see deer peak out of the forest trees seeking some food to eat. Birds fly by in multitudes. Apparently bear eat near a place I recently skipped around.

Jesus is making growth happen within you. He knows the world is too much for you to carry. That is why He already carried the weight of the world, the weight of your life, and the weight of your chores on His own shoulders.

My time with Jesus in the woods is such a sacred place because it is just me and Him. Only in recent months have I really been thankful for this season of my life only being me and Him. I have so many loved ones and sweet friends, but I have found completeness and confidence in the Lord’s joy as my strength. He completes me.

I am able to share anything with the Lord and know our words are kept between one another. I know my God is moving mountains on my behalf. He is able to move mountains for you too.

The weight of the world, the weight of our lives, and the weight of to-do lists is exhausting. That is why I run to Jesus. That is why I talk about Him constantly. I’ve experienced life and seen life without giving Jesus my whole heart. We are settling for less whenever we give any parts of ourselves to Him without giving Him all that we have.

I am burdened for you. I am burdened for the lost. I am burdened for those who don’t yet know that Jesus is their Shepherd. He wants to guide you. He doesn’t want you lacking any good thing. He is going to provide for you. He is our Well of nourishment. He commands us to rest. He never shames us for needing a break. He is our Rock. He stands tall and strong even when we are not. Jesus is our present help in a time of need. He wants us to call on Him constantly to include Him in the everyday parts of our lives.

He is good when life is good. He is good when life is bad or even sad. You can have this hope that is surging within me today, beloved one. 

I am declaring that Jesus is my One Thing. He is Who I want above all else. If I have Him, then my life is complete. I have found true satisfaction in His Presence and in His love.

God has gifts that He has placed within you. He is generous. He gives us more than we deserve. He blesses us beyond our understanding. His peace is like a river.

Please lean into Him and all He has for you. You aren’t too far from God’s grace. Yes, He most definitely still loves you. Hold on to Him for He is strong. 

Psalm 63: 1-8 NIV