There is much to admire about the Apostle Paul—his tireless dedication, his bold preaching, his endurance through suffering. But one of the most striking statements he ever made is found in Philippians 3:13: “This one thing I do…”
One thing.
One.
That’s startling when you really think about it. Paul didn’t say, “These many things I dabble in.” He said, “This one thing I do.”
I’ve discovered that one of my worst assets is that I’m actually a good multitasker. After a service, I can greet a member, notice a wandering child, see a flickering light, catch a guest leaving unwelcomed, and spot a piece of trash near the door—all in two minutes.
But being able to multitask isn’t always a strength. In fact, the longer I live, the more I’ve come to see that multitasking is often done to the detriment of God-given priorities.
If the goal is to check items off a to-do list, multitasking may work. But if the goal is to set our whole heart, mind, and soul on loving God and making an eternal difference through our service to Him, multitasking becomes a distraction.
The reality is that most Christians live distracted lives. We live in an age of constant noise and endless demands. One moment we’re at a ball game, the next scrolling through social media, then answering late-night emails. Notifications ping, responsibilities pile up, and our attention is pulled in a dozen directions. The result? Our focus is fractured, our souls weary, and our vision blurred.
In contrast, the Bible points us to “one thing” believers—men and women whose singular focus on the Lord changed everything:
- David: “One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).
- Mary of Bethany: “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).
- Paul: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do…” (Philippians 3:13–14).
The very singularity of their focus fueled their passion for knowing God and resulted in lives of real service to Him.
I want to be one of those “one thing” believers. I want every moment of my life, every muscle of my energy to be bent toward knowing Christ and making Him known.
But like you, I face the daily struggle for focus. There are a thousand distractions that vibrate my phone, cross my desk, enter my inbox, or insert themselves into my thoughts. Like you, I’ve had days when I got to the end and wondered where the time had gone and if I had used the day wisely. I’ve had seasons when I got distracted or found myself reacting to the urgent at the expense of making progress on priorities.
But if I’ve learned one thing in the battle for focus, it’s the importance of continually resetting my gaze on Christ.
One of the clearest passages on spiritual focus is Hebrews 12:1–2, where God calls us to run life’s race “looking unto Jesus.”
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This passage shapes the structure of a book I have been writing the past several months. It’s titled Focus: Living with Clarity, Purpose, and Eternal Vision, and I’m grateful to share that it releases today. My prayer is that it will encourage believers to set aside the distractions that blur their vision and to run with endurance by keeping their eyes on Christ.
The book is divided into three sections that follow the flow of Hebrews 12:
- Part 1—Out of Focus: Before we can run with endurance, we must first lay aside the weights and sins that hold us back. These chapters confront the distractions, compromises, and gradual drift that blur our spiritual vision and call us to refocus our hearts on Christ.
- Part 2—In Focus: With our eyes fixed on Jesus, we press forward with renewed passion, purpose, and discipline. This section walks through the internal habits and outward priorities that define a life of Christ-centered focus.
- Part 3—Eternal Focus: Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). We, too, run with eternity in view. These final chapters point to the fruit God produces through faithful focus and
Throughout the book, I’ve also included “Snapshots of a Focused Life”—short biographical sketches of Christians like D. L. Moody, Gladys Aylward, and Adoniram Judson whose lives illustrate what God can do through a “one thing” Christian.
But here’s the reality: becoming a “one thing” Christian doesn’t happen just by wishing for it. It requires intentionally turning our attention to Christ. If we don’t choose our focus, the distractions around us will choose it for us.
So, whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by distractions or simply longing to live with greater purpose, this book is written to help you:
- Identify the weights and distractions holding you back.
- Realign your priorities with God’s eternal mission.
- Cultivate Christ-centered habits that sharpen your focus.
- Press forward with joy—even through difficulty.
My prayer is that God will raise up a generation of “one thing people”—believers whose singular focus on Christ fuels their service, sustains their joy, and directs their energy.
You can learn more about this book or order your copy at Amazon.com or StrivingTogether.com (bulk discounts also available).
