Not Missing the One Necessary Thing: Jesus

We may immerse ourselves in good things, godly things, and even in ministry. But if we miss Jesus, we’ve missed it. Because it’s possible to be surrounded by spiritual activity and still miss the Person at the center of it all. Jesus is the one necessary thing.

My husband Mike and I have spent the majority of our married life in ministry. Much of the ministry God called us to was in the church: me in women and student ministry and Mike as a youth and lead pastor. And our calling included mission work as well.

But even ministry leaders and followers of Christ sometimes lose focus. Like:

Distracted with kingdom busyness, but miss the Holy King. Jesus.

Do good without knowing our good God intimately.

In His service, but not sitting at His feet.

1. Good Things Can Become Distracting Things: One Necessary Thing

Not every distraction is sinful or a bad thing. Sometimes the greatest distractions are good, noble, and spiritual activities that subtly replace intimacy with Jesus.

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Philippians 3:7–10 (ESV)

Paul’s focus was not merely ministry but knowing Christ above all.

Am I pursuing Jesus, or merely pursuing things about Jesus?