“This one thing I do…” Philippians 3:13
We live in an age when many diverse demands are made on our time and attention throughout each and every second of each and every day. We are being pulled from all sides as 1001 things vie for our immediate involvement. Even the word ‘vie’ itself means ‘to compete eagerly in order to do or achieve something.’ The result can be that we no longer have and enjoy a sense of peace and relaxation. Whoever you are, you may at times feel like everyone and everything else has a slice of your life – so much so that there is no ‘me time’ left – let alone time to spend alone with Yehovah, a time when He can have your undivided attention. If that is how you feel, you may even be frustrated at my suggesting you need to set some boundaries and priorities in your life…, but that is just what we all must learn to do.
Today’s text from Philippians 3:13 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 Yehovah in Yeshua.” The apostle Paul had a busier life than most of us – and certainly Yeshua did too – but both Paul and Yeshua set boundaries which meant they always had, or made, time to do the really essential things that were more important than anything else. Whilst the verse quoted here has more meanings than the one I am making here, it remains that Paul chose to prioritise his need to strive after one thing above all else – and that was to grow and nurture his personal, daily walk with Yehovah. And you and I must learn to do the same.