One Thing

Today I am pondering the simplicity of 'the one thing' mentioned in Scripture.

Jesus said to Martha, "But ONE thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42, NKJV)

And there it is... the ONE thing... being with Jesus...

In 1 Cor. 2:2, Paul says "For I determined to know NOTHING among you EXCEPT Jesus Christ, and Him crucified"...

And again I see it... expressed a bit differently...
but still the ONE thing... knowing Jesus...

Once again I am taken aback by the true simplicity of the message...
ONE thing... Jesus...

So simple the message... and yet so difficult the application...
Why is that?

I think about the parable of the sower, and the seed which fell among the thorns...
"These are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity" (Luke 8:14)  The same parable is found in Mark where the "pleasures of this life" is translated as "the desires for other things"

This, then, becomes the answer for me personally as to why the living of the ONE thing is so hard to do, even though the concept is so easy to understand...
I am being choked... by concerns and pleasures and desires in this world...

I think that I want this different kind of life...
this living in pursuit of the ONE thing...
and I can honestly say that I want to want it...
but often I don't live like that is what I want...
I allow myself to be choked...
usually because I haven't taken the time and made the commitment
to pursue Him... to know Him... to spend time at His feet...
like Mary... like Paul...

Teach me, Lord, to delight myself in You,
that You may give me the desires of my heart...
that You may place and grow within me...
the desire for more of You...