Only One Thing is Needed

Only One Thing is Needed
August 31, 2009
Luke 10:41-42 " . . . you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Two sisters had a special guest in their home; it was none other than Jesus the Christ. Jesus had come to their home for a visit, to spend time with them, to speak into their lives. One sister, Mary, sat patiently with Jesus, hanging on every word that came out of His mouth. The other sister, Martha, chose to go about her busy-work, doing anything and everything, except sitting at the feet of Jesus. Martha was upset that Mary would not engage in the busy-work alongside her and even chastised her and Jesus for letting Mary shirk the busy-work. But Jesus rebuked Martha. Jesus spoke pointedly that the busy-work could wait, if it meant sitting and spending time with Him. The busy-work could even go undone if Jesus is being placed first, as that busy-work is far less important, especially compared to a relationship with Him.

Far too often in our lives, Christian, we get caught up in the things we must get done, even though they are not high on God’s priority list. In fact, most of the things we do are not any where near the top items on His list. If you were to prioritize your day, would prayer and a quiet time with God be the highest items on the list? If you were to prioritize your day, would speaking God’s Word into someone else’s life be on the list? If an item is of utmost importance to you, you would do that thing first or rearrange your day in every circumstance to ensure the priority item is completed. Problem is, Christian, God really isn’t high on your priority list, at least by the evidence of what you spend your time doing.

You rearrange your schedule so you can get the kids to dance or football practice but you don’t rearrange your day for God. You rearrange your day so you can get some time in front of the television or make it to the gym, but you don’t rearrange your day to speak God’s Word into someone’s life. You rearrange your day to make that lunch appointment or important meeting, but you don’t rearrange your day for God. You schedule and manage your day to get done the things you want to get done. When was the last time you scheduled and managed your day to get done the things God wanted to get done? When was the last time you even asked God what He wanted done today? When was the last time you asked God to write your “to-do” list for the day? When was the last time you asked God to prioritize your activities? I bet if you asked Him, He’d delete a bunch of items from your list of things to do today.

God knows what you truly have to do and what must be done. God knows the busy schedule that is demanded of you. But God also knows the activities that have zero importance or value to them. Far too often, those items of zero importance get placed before the things of God. God’s work is far more important than anything you have to do today, even the work you do to earn a living. God says that if you do His work first, then He will take care of the rest. Here is the direct quote found in Matthew chapter 6, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

It’s time to prioritize your day and accomplish only the things God wants you to do. Today is a good day to start. Go ahead and ask Him; you’ll be surprised at what you get accomplished. Only one thing is needed and He’ll tell you what that one thing is for today.

1. What is on your priority list today?
2. What is on God's priority list for you today?
3. How can you delete the items that have no value to God?

Add. Scriptures for Study: 1 Kings 22:5, 2 Chron 18:4, Matt 6:33