“What flavor do you want?”
When I was growing up, occasionally my parents would stop at Baskin-Robbins for ice cream on the way home from church on Sunday night. In the summertime, there was often a line out the door, which made the anticipation all the more delectable. While we waited in line, my dad would ask me, “What flavor do you want?” This was a difficult question for me to answer because I really liked what he always got, Jamoca Almond Fudge. But I also really liked Pralines ‘n Cream. Occasionally, Mint Chocolate Chip was a consideration, but I struggled to choose just one.
I think that we can all struggle with making choices, choosing one and not having everything. Indeed, how many charlatans have attempted to trick us into thinking that we can have it all and not just choose one thing at the expense of not getting everything?
Thankfully, Jesus is no charlatan. He was clear about making wise choices and choosing one thing. We see His wisdom about one thing on two occasions in the Gospels.
In the first instance, we read about Jesus having dinner at the house of the sisters, Martha and Mary. In Luke 10:38-42, we see a sharp contrast between Mary who sat at Jesus’ feet in learner mode and Martha being fully consumed with preparations, activities, worries, busyness and getting stuff done. There have been innumerable sermons, blogs, books and essays written to discuss the contrasting actions and values of these two sisters.
In the simplest analysis, I think that Jesus is challenging us to prioritize connecting with Him more than the endless pursuit of accomplishments, achievements, accolades and frenzied productivity. In answer to Martha’s criticism about her sister’s choice to connect with Him, Jesus told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).
There’s another occasion where Jesus talked about one thing and this revolves around wealth and possessions. In Luke 18, a pious and wealthy man came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. After some dialogue, Jesus gave the man a core directive in Luke 18:22, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Upon hearing these words, the wealthy man was very sad. Despite his rigorous piety and abundant wealth, he still lacked one thing, prioritizing connection with Jesus. Abundant possessions and opulent wealth can never occupy the fulfillment that we can live in from cultivating the rich and sustaining connection with Jesus.
No matter the possessions we accumulate, our achievements, or accolades, nothing is more satisfying than keeping a deep and abiding connection with Jesus. Let’s keep Jesus as our One Thing. For me, Jesus is my Pralines ‘n Cream choice.
