Becoming ThirstyExemplo

Resolve to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

Ruthie is my Boston terrier. She’s older but possesses stamina that outlasts my adolescent twin boys. That dog has focus. If there is a tennis ball thrown she will catch it, dive for it, flip over furniture to retrieve it, and frankly ignore a treat for the possibility of a conquest. You can try to trick her but Ruthie has a resolve that won’t quit. 

We might say the same about Paul. Here is a man in tune with his purpose and mission: to be a herald of the Gospel. The calling was not to glorify himself, personally. He was not pursuing accolades, book sales, or better positions. Instead, Paul possessed a heart void of the need for personal gain, for pleasures that do not satisfy, and of all the distractions that muddy up our daily walks to keep us circling the mountain rather than going places with God. 

Paul knew how to keep the main thing the main thing. 

We find this personal determination relayed to the Corinthians. 

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

Paul wanted nothing extra to influence his portrayal and presentation of the Gospel, so he resolved to keep the message of salvation simple and untainted. If you listen closely you can almost hear the refrain of Matthew 6 through Paul’s stated resolve. 

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 

Paul was aiming his own heart in his letter to the Corinthians and beckoning us to do the same. 

Too often I have not taken Paul’s advice, but spent the day chasing tennis balls instead of pursing Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Paul’s resolve should make us thirsty to possess more of a passion for pursuing Jesus. 

If it does, we, too, could resolve to keep the main thing the main thing. 

Where should we begin? 

A logical place might be our free time. 

Let’s consider our use of media and entertainment. Before we watch something, read it, or participate in it, we should ask ourselves, “Does this center on Christ or even acknowledge His existence?” If so, it’s a keeper. If not, we might need to consider giving it up.  

Today, think about steps you can take to begin aiming your heart toward resolving to make the main thing the main thing in one area.