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“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.”

Luke 10:41

A long time ago, before we had children or Google Maps, my husband and I went to Paris. We meandered through the city streets with our dogeared Rick Steves’ travel guide and broken French and ate as many baguettes as possible in three short days. 

Of all the sites I wanted to see, the Louvre Museum captured my imagination most. I pictured walking up to the Mona Lisa, peering over the sea of heads, and squinting to see it behind its plexiglass shield. Many people had told me that the anticipation and the reality of seeing it differed.

But for me, the point was being there. I wanted to stand before the same canvas that Leonardo da Vinci (and millions of others) had stood before and marvel. I wanted to get lost in the halls of the Palace and feast my eyes on some of the greatest works of art in the world. 

So Far, and Not So Good

We walked up to the counter to purchase our tickets on the morning of our visit with our francs in hand (I told you it was a long time ago). The attendant told us the Louvre and all the other museums in the city were closed because of a worker’s strike. Was I on a hidden camera show or something? It felt like a cruel joke. Over two decades later, I’m still not over it. I had come so far and was so close, and yet I missed it entirely.

Missing ‘It’ Like Martha

In Luke 10, we read the familiar story of Martha and Mary. They had invited Jesus over to their house, and Martha, in the midst of her serving, missed the greatness of the moment. Her sister Mary, however, didn’t miss the majesty of the moment and sat transfixed at Jesus’ feet. 

Martha probably tried to get Mary’s attention by sighing loudly from the kitchen and shutting the cupboard doors too forcefully. She went for the direct, more tattle-tale approach when her subtle cues failed. “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40).

Marveling Like Mary

“The Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). 

Only one thing was necessary, and it was worship. The dishes, clean floors, and delicious food weren’t important compared to marveling at Jesus’ feet. Jesus essentially said serving me is great, but worshipping me is better. Even though serving the Lord is important, that’s not our highest purpose. Mary chose the better thing, marveled at his words, and enjoyed being in Jesus’ presence. 

Jesus wasn’t asking Martha to neglect her responsibilities, but he was poking at her priorities. Maybe we’re quick to defend Martha because this pokes at our priorities, too. We should ask ourselves what we prioritize and where marveling at Jesus’ feet ranks on that list. Is our greatest and highest purpose in this life to glorify God and enjoy him forever? Is this your one thing?

Desiring Like David

Scripture offers many examples of people with a single-hearted devotion to God. David was a passionate man. While he often misdirected those passions, he desperately wanted to behold more of God. In Psalm 27, he recognized that his one all-consuming desire was to dwell with God and worship him. He said, 

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).

David knew that nothing he accomplished could match the joy of being in God’s presence. His one desire, his life’s purpose, was to live in God’s presence forever.

Focusing Like the Blind Man

When a man born blind received his sight after Jesus put mud on his eyes, the Pharisees demanded an explanation for the Sabbath-day miracle. The formerly blind man saw things come into sharp focus after his encounter with Jesus. He not only read the Pharisees’ facial expressions and body language, but he also saw a political set-up taking place.

“He answered, ‘Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see’”

(John 9:25). 

Later, Jesus ran into him again and asked him if he believed in the Son of Man. He said, “Lord, I believe, and he worshiped him” (John 9:38). His encounter with Jesus gave him not only physical vision but also spiritual vision. Jesus was now his one focus—his one true purpose. 

Purposing Like Paul

Paul had a singular vision and purpose for his life. He didn’t bank on his religious pedigree or past successes. He had one all-consuming purpose and said,

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Paul’s life’s purpose was about one thing: pursuing Christlikeness.

One Thing You Lack

But the call to one thing is too narrow and limiting for some. The rich young ruler, thinking he had kept the law perfectly, asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus, knowing his heart and loving him, said,

“One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow Me” (Mark 10:21).

The young man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions. One of the most astonishing discoveries of having this one-thing purpose-driven life is that it weeds out millions of lesser things. Like the rich young ruler, the narrowness of the one thing keeps some out of the kingdom entirely.

What’s Your One Thing?

Jesus boiled down the sisterly squabble to one thing: if you’re not marveling at his feet, you’re missing the greatness of being in his presence. It’s difficult to be singular in our focus, making our life’s purpose ‘one thing.’ Living a one-thing purposeful life requires discernment to choose the best thing over lots of good things. And we know the best thing that will bring us the most joy is to marvel at his beauty and behold him.  

Like standing outside the Louvre and never entering, let’s not miss the opportunity to marvel at Jesus’ feet. Making him our one thing is the one thing we need most.   

SDG,

Cara

P.S. A one thing kind of life begins with beholding and enjoying Jesus. This is the heart of otium sanctum, or holy leisure. If you want to set up a simple system to start enjoying sitting at the feet of Jesus, download this guide, to get started.