A Year of One Thing

“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 ESV

At the end of each year, I take some time to ask God what he has to say about the upcoming year. Each year he is faithful to respond. This year, one of the phrases I sensed him saying was, “This is a year of one thing.”

When I heard the phrase, “This is a year of one thing,” I was immediately reminded of Psalm 27:4 and Luke 10:38-42. These two texts have deeply influenced my convictions about what it means to follow Jesus. I have learned through these texts what is most important to God. In Luke 10:42 Jesus says it is “the one thing necessary.”

David said it was the one thing he desired. Jesus said it is the one thing necessary. The one thing David desired and the one thing Jesus said was necessary is to spend time with God. Simply put, to abide.

Although it sounds simple, if you are anything like me, to daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly abide is difficult. I may be writing these prompts inviting you to abide in Christ, and I do it from a place of experience and deep conviction, but sometimes I struggle and fall short of abiding.

I believe that is why I sensed God saying, “This is a year of one thing.” It was an invitation to return to the one thing necessary. An invitation to return to making spending time with God in secret and as I go throughout day-to-day life my number one priority.

I believe it was not for me only. Will you say yes to God’s invitation to make 2022 a year of one thing and receive the grace he gives to do so? If so, I invite you to pray this prayer with confidence that God hears and will help you abide in 2022.

Abba, thank you for making a way for me to enter into an eternal relationship with you through Jesus Christ. I ask that in 2022 you would help me make abiding my number one priority! Help me to daily open the Word, pray, listen for your voice, fellowship with you throughout the day, and live obediently. Help me remember that I need your help to abide and never try to abide in my own strength. Thank you again for making it possible for me to abide. I love and bless you.

Amen.

• Sign up for Abiding Daily text messages.

  Abiding happens daily in his presence. Abiding Daily is a simple and practical reminder to stay connected to the vine. Each prompt is inspired by the scriptures and designed to point you toward prayer and encounter. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To get the Daily Invitation sent to you every day click this link or text “Daily” to +1 (779) 237-3914.

• Abiding Daily: Volume One – Our first devotional book.

  Our first devotional book is available for pre-order! Abiding Daily: Volume One is a devotional book including 120 prompts from the Daily Invitation. This book is designed to help believers connect with God through the word and discover more of what it means to abide in Christ. Click here to learn more.