One Thing

The other day I came across Philippians 3:13-14, which says, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

For some reason, the first thing that popped in my head after reading this passage was the movie City Slickers. Do you remember that movie? The main character, played by Billy Crystal, and two of his buddies, set out on a modern day cattle drive, in hopes of finding out the meaning of life.

At one point in the movie, a character named Curly, played by Jack Palance, tells Billy Crystal that the true meaning of life is "One Thing". However, before sharing what the “One Thing” was, Curly died. As the cattle drive progresses, the trials these men experienced helped them to come to an understanding of what that "One Thing" was for their life. I started thinking about how many people go through life searching for that “One Thing” that will bring meaning and purpose to their life? Even with Christians, how many really understand what their true purpose is here on this earth?

After reading Philippians and thinking about Paul’s life, there is no question in my mind that Paul understood what that “One Thing” was all about. Paul had a single purpose in life after his life was transformed on that road to Damascus. In this passage in Philippians, Paul shares with us “this one thing I do”, in order to help all Christians to keep pushing forward with the advancement of the gospel.

In Philippians 3:13, we hear Paul say, " Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do". There is devotion, commitment, and focus expressed in what Paul said in this passage and for a very important reason. Far too often, we as Christians struggle with things in our life that get us off track. We forget that God has a plan for our life and that the souls of men are at stake. In order for us to progress in our faith and accomplish the plan that God has for our lives, we have to be consecrated to “The One Thing."

Even in his bonds, Paul kept his focus on Christ and the advancement of the gospel. During his life, Paul took the gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles, to heathens and to kings. He recorded most of the doctrine we have in our bible for the church, he spread the gospel in major cities and planted churches in those cities that flourished…yet you see him say in verses 3:13, "I count not myself to have apprehended".

The Life of the Apostle Paul was one that was dominated with a one clear objective---That was to keep pressing towards the mark, that he might obtain the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul knew that the Lord Jesus Christ apprehended him to take the gospel to the world. The more he accomplished, the more he understood how great the need was. That is why Paul said “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before”. He would not allow himself to be satisfied with his accomplishments, because he knew that there was much more that needed to be done.

That need is still great today. We will never accomplish what the Apostle Paul accomplished in his life, but make no mistake….God has given you everything you need to fulfill the plan He has for your life. He might be calling you to reach out to your neighbor, a co-worker, a friend, or family member….He may even be calling you to teach a Sunday school class, to be a missionary, or maybe even pastor a church. Whatever it is, don’t let the world get you off track. Don’t be like Billy Crystal and his friends in this move. Don’t allow yourself to look back over your life and wonder what it is all about. Better yet, don’t find yourself standing at the Judgment Seat of Christ, looking into the eyes of our Lord and Savior, and realize “that one thing” was never your focus in life…keep running the race and pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

God Bless you all,
Harold Hatman – Missionary to Canoas Brazil