Your one thing

Scripture

Luke 10:38-11:1; 8-10

42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” 11: 1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

8 But I tell you this— though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. [*] 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Observation

1. We need to remember that chapter and verse numbers were put into the Bible after it was written.  They are a great tool that enables us to navigate and study the Bible better but sometimes they break the flow of thought.  I believe the break between chapters 10 & 11 is one of those times.  

At the end of chapter 10 we see Jesus visiting with Mary and Martha and Jesus said that Mary's one thing would not be taken from her.  Then in chapter 11 we have the teaching of Jesus on prayer, which includes the Lord's Prayer, teaching on persistence and ask and keep on asking.  This one train of thought.

2. What is my point?  My one thing, your one thing is abiding, to sit at Jesus feet, to pray, study His Word, to persist in our asking.  

3. Tomorrow is Easter when we celebrate the risen savior.  He is alive which means he is available.  You can talk to him, share your dreams and fears with him, and ask him to meet your needs.  He is there, with you, right now.

Application

1. Set a time

In order for me to spend time with Jesus daily, it had to be in my schedule.  It is a priority so I put it in my calendar.

2. Have a place

Have a holy place that is designated just to sit at his feet, to be in his presence.  I have a sofa that the only time I sit in it is to be with Jesus.  It is a sacred place for me because God meets me there.

3. Have a plan

I believe in a having a prayer list.  If I do not write down the names and of others, I will forget.  I also want to keep my promise when I tell people I will pray for them.

4. Set a reminder.

Abiding includes a block of time each day but it should be more than that.  It is being connected to Jesus throughout the day, all day.  I get busy, distracted, and my personality is task oriented.  For me to stay connected to Jesus throughout the day I set the alarm on my phone.  When it goes off I silently pray a sentence prayer.   I do not draw attention to myself or disrupt meetings, but I silently quiet my heart and mind and reconnect to my source.

Prayer

Jesus, you are my one thing. You are the most important being in my life.  You are my everything. Do not allow me to get distracted from you but may I be connected to you all day. I need you and love you.