On May 19 I wrote about the power of discovering the One Thing which could move your life forward. In theory if you discovered the one critical thing to do in each area of life, and did it, life would change dramatically for you. (If you missed the post click HERE to read it.)
But I’ve been wondering if the opposite is true. What if there is a negative One Thing you are doing but stopped? Would it significantly improve your life?
Last week I had the privilege to help the Revolution 313 ministry in Detroit feed the homeless. The head revolutionary, Brent Bittenbender, had located an empty field in downtown where the homeless gathered every day. That’s where we went. We went to them in a van with a flatbed trailer on which were two grills ready to cook hotdogs.
My assigned task placed me at the head of the line where I announced they could only take one of each food item. Seconds could be had after everyone else had their firsts. In my position I became the greeter, announcer, and enforcer. All these roles I learned while serving as a pastor.
I met each person as they came through the line. Dejected. Hopeless. Weary. High. Buzzed. Lost. Forlorn. Bill (not his real name) embodied all those characteristics. He wore shabby clothes and had an eye which turned sideways. On his right arm he wore a white hospital sling. But we connected the moment he announced himself to be a preacher.
We went off to the side and he told me his simple story. “I lost my pulpit to alcohol but I want it back.” He told me of a liquor store around the corner which opened a 7:00 AM. “I am their best customer” he said.
I put my arm around him and prayed for him. He thanked me, and with a tear in his eye, turned and walked back out into his misery.
One Thing. If he could just stop doing One Thing.
I’m not a fan of focusing on the negative. I want to find the positives and make them stronger. But my new friend got me wondering about the One Thing which, if we stopped doing it, would catapult us toward a better life.
I’m convinced most of us have something in our lives that, if we stopped doing it, would instantly improve life. I’m inviting you to join me in finding what it is and then working to stop doing it.
Maybe the negative One Thing holding you back is:
- Spending too much money and not getting rid of debt.
- Failing to take care of your body by eating too much and not exercising.
- Deciding to coast through the rest of life.
- Becoming spiritually complacent.
- Engaging in an addictive behavior.
Maybe your One Thing isn’t on the list. But find out what is holding you back. And I’m guessing you know exactly what it is. Imagine how much better your life would be without that destructive One Thing in your life.
Now, find a way to get rid of it. Stop it. Pray. Kill it. Turn your back on it. If necessary talk to a pastor or get counseling. Whatever it takes purge your life of the negative One Thing. You might be amazed to see how your life improves.