The Main Thing

The MAIN THING —- Acts 5:41, 42

I don’t know where I first heard it or who first said it, but it’s one of those quotes that is tattooed into my frontal lobe: The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

But then, it’s important to know: “What is the MAIN THING?”

What is it that will still be the core truth – no matter what? What is it that will really matter – whatever the circumstance? What is it that will ALWAYS be true – with every beat of my heart, every breath that I take?

Do I know my MAIN THING?

“It is not the thing we spend the most time on that molds us most: the greatest element is the thing that exerts most power.”

What is my MAIN THING, the thing that exerts the most power in me?  I’m asking the Lord to solidify this in me as the MAIN THING: Jesus has redeemed me.

If I wake up every day with the thought that He has paid the price for my sin – He is faithful to His promises – His is powerful enough to secure my eternal destiny – I am confident in His loving care towards me – I am precious to Him – He ordained every day of my life – I am in His care …

See how the progression from that one central thought lifts me towards joy…peace…rest…? laughing … dancing … working … anticipating?

That MAIN THING abolishes fear, makes plotting and scheming revolting, washes away jealousy and discontent, turns my loyalties away from power players, disassociates me from cultural values, dilutes stress …

That is my MAIN THING! I am redeemed! I am securely His! And after that everything else is all good. (Not easy, but good!)

If I take time to realize that “central point of power”, if I “abide” in Him and “continue to act and think and work from that center”, then I am keeping the MAIN THING the MAIN THING and after that, everything else falls into place, comes in focus, stays in rhythm.

Oh, that nothing would distract me from that!

Just as the friends of Jesus could be threatened, beaten, imprisoned and ordered to cease and desist in their witness of His redeeming love – yet “they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” They “rejoiced because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

Really? They rejoiced in the face of such hardship? How is that possible?

They kept the MAIN THING the MAIN THING.

Now, that is a good way to live as we walk toward Home!

The quotes in today’s post are from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, June 7.

PS:

Today I’m thinking of my mom’s favorite hymn (by Fanny Crosby) and rephrasing it in my mind:

Redeemed how I love to proclaim it.

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Redeemed by His infinite mercy.

His child and forever I am.

Redeemed! Redeemed! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!

Redeemed! Redeemed! His child and forever I am.