The One who calls you higher

Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard wrote a book called “Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing”. He contended that a pure heart was a heart with singular focus. The apostle Paul was a man with laser focus on one thing, and one thing only: he wanted to know Christ. From His highest highs to His lowest lows, Paul wanted to experientially know Jesus Christ. He did not claim to have arrived in his quest… but he was focused on it. He was the original, one-dimensional man.

Do the words “one thing” ring a bell with you? When Jesus spoke to the rich young ruler, He said, “One thing you lack…” When He reprimanded Martha for her bitter attitude toward her sister Mary, He said, “One thing is needed…” The blind man who was given sight by Jesus and questioned at length by the Pharisees said, “One thing I know.” Paul said, “I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do…” He did not look back—he reached ahead to his “one thing:” knowing Christ, and being all that He had called him to be.

Have you ever watched the runners in a track meet? When a runner nears the finish line, he strains, leans and stretches for that tape. He does not look back to see where the rest of the runners are. He does not look at the score board to check the time. He does not look down to see if he is placing his feet correctly. He runs flat out for the wire, intent on one thing: winning the race.

Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. He sounds the starting gun. He stands at the tape. He is the One who calls us higher. He is our One Thing.