1 JOHN 3:1-3 – See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

So, let’s imagine God meets us today and says, “My child, ask of Me one thing, and I will freely and abundantly grant it.”  Don’t be in a hurry.  On second thought, maybe being in a hurry is a good thing because it would mean we are already yearning for this one thing from God. And what would be this one thing?  I believe it would be the chief thing and should be on the heart and lips of every Christian.  This one thing is revealed by three different individuals – David, the Apostle Paul, and Fanny Crosby.  You will recognize the one thing with ease.  If this isn’t our one thing, let’s ask the Lord to make it our one thing.

First, David, the sweet Psalmist – 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).

Now, the Apostle Paul – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better (Philippians 1:21-23).

Finally, the hymnwriter Fanny Crosby who gave us more than 8000 Gospel songs.  Quite an accomplishment, but even more so when we know this about her.  Fanny was blinded at the age of 6 weeks, but she never held any bitterness in her heart because of it. Once a preacher sympathetically remarked, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you.” She replied quickly, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?” “Why?” asked the surprised clergyman. “Because when I get to Heaven, the first face that I shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!”

The common one thing shared by David, the Apostle Paul, and Fanny Crosby was an intense longing to be in the Presence of the Lord.  Not just spiritually but literally.  And that is to be the chief thing, the one thing, that should shape all our walks with the Lord.  Why? Because of love. His love for us, and our love for Him.  And love longs for fellowship and togetherness.   May we be one-thing Christians!

PRAYER: “Father, deepen within my heart the intense desire to see the Lord Jesus.”

QUOTE: “Healthy Christians long to be with Jesus. Heaven holds a tighter grip on them than this world.”