One

The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter on September 25, 2024. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.

There is only one.

It is a simple concept, but because of its importance, it is repeated time and time again in scripture: 

“There is but one God…and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 8:6).

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:5-6).

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6).

There are plenty more examples, but you get the idea. There is only one God, and that one God wants you to know there is no other! He even tells us why He is so insistent that He stand alone in our hearts and in our lives—it is because He is a jealous God and does not want to share our worship (Ex. 34:14)!

You likely have no objection to this assertion. You likely agree on an intellectual level that God—and God alone—should be worshiped. But you and I live in a world where that Truth is constantly being challenged and tested in our everyday lives. There is an endless parade of competition for our attention.

Your calendar is double and triple booked.

Your finances are pulled in countless directions.

Your affiliations and allegiances demand your devotion.

Even your good works…they always need more from you.

How often have you come to the end of your day or your week or your year and wondered, “Where did the time go?”

For me, this reflection has often caused me to wonder how my “One” became diluted into so many. Why, when my course was set to serve only Him, did so many other things crowd Him out?

It happens one small decision at a time, but so often boils down to the question, “What is the object of my worship?”

That question hit me hard this week as I read some reporting about how candidates from both parties are increasing their contributions to their respective party apparatus. The story described the increased frequency with which campaign events end with a “political altar call.” The reporter was admittedly using a turn of phrase, but even so, the statement is piercing because of its truth.

What are the altars in our life, and to which of them do we eagerly answer the call?

There are so many choices. Business, wealth, relationships, politics, fame, power, achievement, even religion. They can all be altars, and they are constantly calling on us to respond to them. They are asking for our devotion—just one little moment at a time.

But even in the din of all these demands, there is still only One. And He is still jealous for you. He made you for Himself, and He longs to be the only One to Whom you will kneel at the altar. He yearns for your life to be spent for Him, and Him alone.

There are countless altars.

But there is only One to Whom you are called.