Finding The One Thing

"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve" (John 6:67)

I like to watch movies from time to time and very few do I remember. In fact, don't send me to rent a movie because probably I would come back with the one we just watched. This movie "City Slickers" with Billy Crystal and Jack Palance I do remember well.  Mitch (Billy Crystal) and two of his friends are in mid-life crises. They decide what they need is a getaway vacation to try and sort things out. A cattle drive in the Southwest would be so different from their business world that there they could forget their troubles for at least a moment and find the answers to their problems.

Plot thickens with Curly (Jack Palance) the weather-worn, tough-as-nails, wisened, trail boss who all fear. In time Mitch sees in Curly a wise person who has much to offer so Mitch asks Curly for advice to face his problems. Curly turns to Mitch and holds up his first finger, Mitch's brows wrinkled in confusion, and then the advice Mitch was waiting for comes: Curly states, "It's just one thing"; find it and you will have the found the secret of life. Mitch doesn't understand but decides to try and find that "one thing." I won't give away the whole movie just in case you haven't seen it, as to whether or not Mitch finds the "one thing"; well, you'll just have to watch the movie.

That movie seems to describe most of us, we are looking everywhere for that "one thing." We look in magazines that have advice from some guru or self-help books, there are dozens upon dozens of them, or we seek the "one thing" in other areas. For some it was the "one thing" that caused them to leave the Church, the music, something someone said, a new pastor, and off they go looking for the "one thing."

When Jesus spoke a hard to understand teaching (John 6:25-59), instead of sticking around to ask Jesus to explain this deep teaching, they left. This "one thing" drove them away. They didn't necessarily return to a sinful life, they just stopped walking with Jesus. Does this sound familiar? Maybe this has happened to you!

What is the "one thing?" Jesus gives the answer, the secret to life; ...""Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me" (John 7:28b). Jesus is "the one thing" and those who do not know Him are seeking the "one thing", the"secret to life" and they find it allusive. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6). There it is, you don't have to go on a cattle drive, you don't have to go and sit and meditate, no running away to some monastery looking for the "secret of life", that "one thing"; it is found in God's Word. There the "secret of life" can be found. Stop running around looking everywhere, turn to God, and allow His Son, Jesus, by means of the Holy Spirit to guide yours and mine lives and we will have found, "THE ONE!"

Daily Prayer:

Jesus I come to you, the One who came to give to the world everlasting life, hope eternal, and has sent the Comforter, Holy Spirit that leads us, brings peace to our lives. I stop right now chasing after the "secret of life", that "one thing" that the world promises to bring happiness. You are my savior and the "One" I need and I come humbly to you, forgive me for looking elsewhere, thank you for Your patience and constant love.  Amen