Knowing and worshipping God through Christ..that's my one upward thing! Yes, and that's the vertical ministry for you to have as well.
There is no higher priority ministry than that for any Christian anywhere! See Matthew 6:33. Man, I want to do this better and better, and follow Jesus more closely. Each and every day learn to do this better. To obey is better than sacrifice!
What about manward.. what about peopleward?
But do you have a "one thing" on the horizontal plane of life here that benefits other people? That's important too.
Have you experimented a bit.. have you tried different ministry endeavors, have you wisely applied your skills and giftings, and found your fitting one thing?
Some people work too much and they get too busy for Jesus and for their family members.. even "in the ministry," but walking in God's will with balance.. could my witness, ministry and practical service of others actually be worship unto God as well as singing His praises? Yes!
Where does one start with that "one thang" to do? Have you spent some time praying about it? Have you earnestly prayed saying something like: God what's my one thing to gain real expertise in that blesses you and ministers to other people.. what ministry I can effectively do to please you, Lord?
What gift can I use? What can I try to excellently do to bless you and help others with?
I have a friend who joined a Christian band as the drummer and played in a concert even, but soon discovered that he couldn't keep a beat? Therefore, he went on to try public speaking and preaching to young people and then on to preaching to people in stadiums all over the world. God has used him, others have corroborated that he is gifted in this area and he just keep growing in his fruitfulness. Perhaps you know him? His name is Greg Laurie.I agree and say that individual Christians shouldn't keep dabbing in so many things all their life, but each one should pray, practice, and become totally convinced. Yes, try different ministries in connection with a healthy Bible teaching local church and with wise believer-friends just to find their one thing.. that's in harmony with their giftings and inborn talents. Then spend some time polishing it so to speak ..with the Holy Spirit's guidance, anointing and grace to perfect doing that one thing with real excellence.. cultivating this righteous expertise more and more unto the glory of God. Why not?
Each one should pray for God's Wisdom and simply say no to self in regards to doing too many things in this lifetime. They'd do well to avoid endless dabbling in Christiany things, cuz the Bible strongly encourages diligence, excellence, and using our God-given gifts (instead of burying them) to His glory.
What does it mean to "bury your talent"? Well, to "bury your talent" has to do with neglecting or wasting the gifts, abilities, and good opportunities you've been given to serve. This implies there's a lack of smart effort, and diligence, or faith in using what you've been entrusted with for God's glory.
Need some good principles that support this "one thing" idea:
Start with a pause. Start by praying about this. Lord, is there an area that you want me to study more about and put into practice for others? How do you want to use me to win souls to Jesus and to biblically disciple them with Your word? God what's my one thing to gain expertise in that will indeed please you.. cuz that's all I want to do is please you!
We are encouraged over and over again to do all for the glory of God. The Bible says, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). This verse (see the context of the passage), it applies to all aspects of life for a Christian, including practical work and other pursuits.
Hard, smart work -- those are not dirty words. The word exhorts us to work heartily as for the Lord and not to merely be seen or to impress people. The Bible says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23). This emphasizes wise dedication and cultivating excellence in our endeavors, viewing our work as service unto God primarily.
Abiding in Jesus spiritually is most important! Allowing Him to rule in me.. in you as our Lord is great. Staying close to him while not being passive or lazy is really positive. There, of course, are times to be still before Him in prayer, to wait on Him, to rest in your relationship, to listen up and slow down without running ahead of Him, but striving for excellence without striving in the flesh is a good thing!
The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 encourages Christians to focus on things that are "true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable," including anything "excellent or praiseworthy". Godly, righteous excellence is encouraged in all things that we do.
Godly excellence is encouraged in all things for us believers.
I say if it's worth doing at all, it's worth doing in an excellent way. If you can't do it with excellence in the will of God, then don't do it. I'm not saying go build another elaborate Cathedral for the next 50 years.. unless God directs you to. Perhaps a smiple inexpensive sheep-shed constructed with excellence will quickly help out. Maybe this is more needed now to keep His flock out of the rain.
Sup with developing our gifts as the Spirit leads? It's appropriate for each one of us and called for.
Paul in Romans 12:4-8 highlights the diversity of spiritual gifts among God's believers, suggesting that we each learn to identify and develop our unique gifts for the Lord. This is a crucial part of serving the Lord daily. God in Proverbs 22:29 says, "Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings". Excelling in work has to do with smart motion, and getting better at what you do for your king.
Being purposeful, intentional, and diligent at work costs something of us. Achieving mastery in any area or field requires dedicated practice and laser focus. Nothing is to be done by us half-heartedly, but having red-hot passion inside for Jesus Christ is important! The Bible reminds us that "diligent hands will rule" (Proverbs 12:24). Are you authentically passionate and enthusiastic instead of lukewarm or cold about seeking and serving Christ? Ecclesiastes 9:10 urges, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might".
The Bible and the Holy Spirit implore you and I to do good works for Him, but not to work too much. You know we each are to work from salvation, but not for salvation. None can earn it doing that. God emphasizes excellence in a labor of love for all of us Christians.. with wise diligence applied, and the utilization of inborn and later given gifts to glorify Him. This suggests focusing on definitions, understanding real needs and developing expertise in a particular area.
Holy Spirit, help me. What would allow a meaningful impact in this world and could bring glory to God the Father through smart work with gifts? Your plan for each individual will involve different paths, different and new methods, different applications of truth, the same unchanging gospel message and Your eternal purpose.
God, I could possibly waste some time and miss You with this one thing put to work idea, but I don't want to Jesus. It's possible, I need you. Help me hear from you clearly when I read your Book. Help me serve You better and your Body better. Help me do this your way. Starting at home, I want to minister to people Your way.
I wish that I could paint a clearer literary picture for you that would make sense today, and highlight even this important point on "employing". Use what you've been given from God for world evangelization.
May I please say it again? How can I say it better? Walk closely with the Lord where He takes you to, and make the most of your life for Him and His body.
Individual Christians shouldn't keep dabbling in so many things, but each one should first pray, practice, and try out different ministries in connection with wise Spirit-filled believers to identify their one thing that is in harmony with their specific calling, their giftings and inborn talents. Each Christian can then polish it with the Holy Spirit's guidance and grace, perfecting it. Do it humbly, serving with excellence. Yes, cultivating this righteous expertise unto the glory of God.
They each should fervently ask for God's Wisdom and avoid mere dabbling, cuz go check it out.. the Bible strongly encourages diligence with smart work, and excellence, and using our God-given gifts to glorify Him.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Working hard and heartily, don't miss Him in where He is leading. "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23) and view your work as service to God.
Can the Lord help you focus and develop some expertise in a particular area that His Church or those in the world really need? Yes.
“God, I will worship You and only You (not ministry, work or mere business), but what’s my one thing on the horizontal plane that will bless your people? Father God, can I locate my single sphere to positively influence for You, where my Spirit‑given gifts, with hard‑won skills, my experiences, and this world’s need will intersect? Can I then refine my one thing until it shines and points people to the Savior?
Hunger without focus misses the mark. Mister Barna finds that 74 % of U.S. adults say they want to grow spiritually, yet most drift without a compass.
Gifted but left guessing hurts the Cause. Only 68 % of self‑identified Christians have even heard of spiritual gifts, and nearly two‑thirds who have can’t accurately name their own gifts. barna.com
Factoid: Mastery multiplies real ministry. Believers who know and wisely employ their gifts volunteer at triple the rate of those who don’t (33 % vs 11 %). In other words, red hot passion for Jesus is plentiful, yet ministry precision is still scarce in many areas.
I say become a spiritual sharpshooter instead of a mere shotgunner so to speak.
Ever felt like you need a biblical blueprint for righteous expertise?
Pray for wisdom every day. James assures us God “gives generously to all” (Jas 1:5). Therefore, ask boldly.
Practice widely, then narrow it. Try different aspects in diverse ministries, but watch where joy and fruit from from.. and in doing certain things biblically (Rom 12:6‑8).
Partner with the righteous wise. “Plans succeed through abundant counsel” (Prov 15:22). Invite mentors to confirm what they see.
Polish your one thing with diligence. “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will stand before kings” (Prov 22:29). Excellence is needed in the area of missions and evangelism.
Pour it out for God’s praise and glory alone. When your craft becomes more than a craft, but worship, where your toil turns into a testimony.
C. T. Studd: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
D. L. Moody: “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things that don’t matter.”
Hymn and a prayer: “Take my life, and let it be / (fully) Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.”
Kneel. Name the one arena where God keeps fanning your embers. Then rise and wield every ounce of prayer, study, coaching, and sweat until that gift becomes a polished arrow in the Redeemer’s hand.
Because the world doesn’t need a thousand dabblers. It needs Spirit‑filled specialists whose focused excellence makes Jesus unforgettable. And that one thing—done with all your might—will echo into eternity.
