“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8, ESV)

The Apostle Paul had one all-consuming passion: to know Jesus Christ more. This one passion fueled everything in his life. He was willing to sacrifice his time, energy, and body. He was willing to go wherever he needed to go and do whatever needed to be done. He was willing to trade everything–recognition, applause for his accomplishments, favor among his colleagues–all for the sake of Jesus.

If you were to boil it down, what is the one thing that is driving your life right now? What is the purpose that defines your life? 

If an alien from another planet was to investigate your life closely to try to determine what you care about, why you get up in the morning, and what you might even die for, what would it be? 

Although there are one thousand and one things we should care about and are important, what if God wants your life to be driven by one thing? And, yes, there are a million and one habits you and I could work on, but if you could name one discipline in life right now that God wants you to practice, what would it be? I think it’s important to focus on that one thing, because otherwise it could be crowded by the host of distractions that are going to come your way today, tomorrow, and every day after that.

But imagine for a moment where your life might take you in the next five or ten years if you put into practice this one thing on a daily basis. Whatever it is–ask God to empower you by His Spirit to commit to this discipline. And when you do that, you’re living by faith because you’re trusting that God will bring the results if you don’t neglect this daily habit. What is that habit?

Sit with that question for a bit. Let it marinate. Imagine what your life might look like if you lived with single-minded devotion for Jesus Christ above all else. What would you need to sacrifice? What would you have to let go of? What would you have to do? Ask God to show you what one thing is critical and might just transform the trajectory of your life, making you into a more loving, joy-filled, purpose-oriented person. Whatever it is, you’re not going to find it in your past. God is holding out to you something in your future.

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:12-14, NLT)

Father, You bring light and life to all who commit their lives to follow You. I pray that both the person reading this and I would be fueled by one great passion: to glorify Jesus Christ all our days. Would you work in our hearts and empower us to live this journey of faith with eyes on Your Son, Jesus. It’s in His Name I pray. Amen.

Are you interested in learning more about Jesus Christ and what He’s done for you? I’d love to hear from you!