WEEKLY WORD: Getting the One Thing

By the Rev. Coulter Page  |   Bethany Alliance Church pastor

A couple weeks ago, it was Black Friday. Are you a person that loves to go out and get the best deals? Are you someone that enjoys watching the crowds?

Or are you an individual that absolutely hates anything to do with that dreaded day, so you hunker down inside?

I am personally somebody that loves to go out just to browse and watch the craziness. Some people think I am crazy for that, and I am OK with that.

​This year, as we were out watching the crowds and grabbing a few deals ourselves, I really began to think about all the things people were chasing after. All these people were doing whatever it took to get that one product. All these people were standing in line, in the cold, to be one of the select few to get the best deal on that one item. All these people were chasing after that one thing.

It really hit me how we are all chasing after something. We try to be the person to get the best deal; we attempt to be the one to have the newest technology; we strive to have the most friends; or we try to have the craziest experiences.

We are all chasing after something without ever really getting anything. It took my heart to a song that I have been worshipping the Lord with these past days which says:

All I know is

Ev’rything I have means nothing

Jesus if You’re not my one thing

Ev’rything I need right now

All I need is You right now

(Aodhan King, Dylan Thomas, Joel Houston, Hillsong Music Publishing)

​All these things that we are chasing after are just so empty. They fill a void for a moment. They can give us an adrenaline high. They can even feel great at the time.

In the end, they leave us feeling empty, because they are a cheap replacement for what we truly need.

What is it that we truly need?

For the answer to that, head to a story in the Bible where Jesus is talking to a woman who has been chasing after the things of this world.

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13-14 ESV

​The woman is desperately trying to fill the void with all the world has to offer, and Jesus informs her that what the world gives her will leave her longing for more. She will thirst again.

He says that He has water that will never leave her thirsting. The water He offers is the Holy Spirit which He promises to give to all those who repent of their sins and confess Him as Lord (Acts 2:38).

​I want to invite you to grab the only thing that can truly fill you up-Jesus. This Christmas season the world will offer you so many things to try to quench the thirst, but there is only one thing that can truly leave you not needing more-the Holy Spirit. I invite you to hit your knees in submission and lift your hands in surrender to Jesus as you ask Him to become your one thing.

​If you pray that prayer for Jesus to become your one thing, we would like to know, so we can support you moving forward. Shoot us an email at baccharlescity@gmail.com, call us at 641-228-1318, or message us on Facebook @BethanyAllianceCC.