One Thing is Necessary: Fellowship

There is only one necessary thing in a believer's life, according to Jesus.  Some might think it is faith and others might think it is holiness.  These are important, but in Luke 10 Jesus said that the one thing necessary is what Mary of Bethany did.  You guessed it.  It was fellowship with Jesus. 

As worship leaders, we can easily choose to center our thoughts on things that are good but not within the scope of what Jesus considers "necessary".  Now, before I lose you, let me explain that Jesus was not scolding Martha for being busy about serving.  We know that serving is a natural response to a healthy relationship with God.  In fact, in the same chapter, Jesus himself sent out 70 of his disciples to serve.  Serving is not wrong.  The place of balance is busyness in God's service as a result of a healthy relationship with him.

I can remember many times over the years being so busy with issues that I was distracted from the most important priority in my life - communion with Jesus.  I often forgot that Jesus was walking with me throughout my day, ready to shoulder any concern I had on my mind.

What are the fears and anxieties that keep us busy about our daily tasks in ministry?  There are so many things that responsible worship leaders must do in preparation for the worship service.  There are songs to research and choose.  There are musicians to train and rehearse.  There are audio and video concerns.  And, what if the congregation does not respond enthusiastically to our efforts?

It's easy for anyone who is passionate about ministry to be preoccupied with stuff.  Maybe that is the point.  Jesus should be our singular passion.  Ministry is important but Jesus is our God, not ministry.  Even if we believe we have succeeded in ministry, it is a hollow success if it is at the expense of the necessary thing!

When the 70 returned and gave their wonderful testimonies, Jesus reminded them that the thing they should rejoice over was that their names were recorded in heaven.  They were to remember that they were children of God.

Powerfully, Jeremiah records God's call:  "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving-kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things" declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 9:23,24)

You see, the only thing that is necessary for each one of us is intimacy with God.  The other things are not wrong but they pale in relation to sitting at the feet of Jesus - "the necessary thing".