This One Thing

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

There’s something about a new year that makes new beginnings seem appealing and even possible. Thus, the popularity of New Year’s resolutions and the prominence of slogans such as “New Year, New You.”

Truly, there is something beautiful about setting out to make worthy changes in our lives. It demonstrates the truth that we always have the ability to make positive choices that bring transformation. This is especially true for those of us who have the Holy Spirit and His resurrection power living within us.

If you could successfully change one thing in your life this year, what would it be?

I look at my life and I see so many things I want to change. I’m very aware of my weaknesses, shortcomings, and sins. And if I’m honest, it can overwhelm me and leave me unsure of where to begin. I see the big picture and all the intricate details, and I want to fix everything at once.

But the reality is we are works in progress, and we have to accept that transormation is a process.

“Little by little, one travels far.” J.R.R. Tolkien

If we don’t keep that in mind, discouragement can threaten to overtake us.

About five years ago, I was in a meeting with a woman, who I respected and considered to be led by the Holy Spirit. In the midst of our meeting and totally unrelated to the topic at hand, she spoke psychoanalytical yet impersonal words that cut deep. I was left feeling hopelessly broken and completely vulnerable. I held back tears, ending our meeting as quickly as possible and then rushed down the hallway to a private room. As soon as I was alone, I broke down in tears. I had been working through my trauma and brokenness with the Lord for years, but at that moment, it seemed like I was a lost cause.

I was expressing my hopelessness and despair to the Lord when suddenly the Holy Spirit broke through my pain-filled thoughts with life-giving words: “Look at Me.”

His answer for my breakthrough, hope, and transformation was not in staring at my own brokenness but in gazing at His glory and goodness.

Is there value in taking an honest assessment of our lives? Absolutely! Change starts with awareness. But true and lasting change does not happen by obsessing over our own inadequacies or tirelessly trying to fix ourselves. It happens as we look at Jesus in all His glory.

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

We are transformed when we spend time with Jesus, gazing at Him. As we worship Him and fellowship with Him, His glory changes us, and His kindness leads us to repentance.

We miscalculate the value of sitting at the feet of Jesus. We underestimate how much Jesus loves simply spending time with us.

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:38-42)

There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Or, in the words of other translations, only one thing is necessary.

Why would Jesus say that sitting at His feet is the only thing necessary when the Bible is filled with specific instructions for us to heed, including the call to hospitality? It is because He is the vine, and we are the branches, and as we stay connected to Him as the source, we will produce fruit that pleases Him. Pure, righteous, and holy fruit.

“‘Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.’” (John 15:4-5)

What if we’re trying too hard?

What if we’re concerned about the wrong things?

There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Only one thing is necessary.

Maybe you’ve made a resolution or set some goals for the new year. That’s great! Pursuing growth is so important. But let me challenge you to prioritize this one thing above all else: Sit at the feet of Jesus. Spend time with Him and worship Him. Not just a little. Not just occasionally. But continually. And in doing so, you will inevitably change. And your life will overflow with goodness.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8a)

“He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6b)

“In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand are pleasures forever.” (Psalm 16:11b)

There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Only one thing is necessary. This new year, may our chief resolution and our greatest pursuit be to sit at the feet of Jesus.

Kimberly Vaughn

Kimberly Vaughn is The Connection’s blog editor, as well as a co-leader for their mentoring program, “Together.” She is a wife and a homeschool mom of two. Kimberly has a passion to encourage and build up other women, especially those who are hurting and broken. She has been involved in various aspects of ministry since graduating from Bible college 20 years ago.  It is her desire for women to experience hope and transformation in Jesus through the words she writes and speaks.