Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
CURLY KNEW WHAT IT WAS. In the 1991 movie City Slickers, cowboy Curly (played by Jack Palance) shares the value of knowing the one thing that is the secret of life. Out west for a trip with friends and a dose of midlife self-discovery, Mitch (played by Billy Crystal) doesn’t know what that one thing is, but struggles to figure it out throughout the movie.
Writers are encouraged to isolate one point or lesson within a work, particularly in short pieces. Readers must be able to clearly identify the objective of what they read. The writer must be focused. If you follow blogs, you may have noticed that sometimes a blogger will make a note to “tweet this” or “tweet that.” I am not yet on Twitter, but I know when I see that message, this is an important piece of information. It’s something the writer wants me to get.
While Curly’s advice was cryptic, today’s bloggers make it simple for us to find the main point. When John shared Jesus’ prayer with us in John 17, the message was also clear. While we are surrounded by evil forces and sin, we may find safety by believing in God and knowing His Son Jesus. No decoder needed, no lonesome horse ride required. You need not be tech-savvy, either. Simply accept, believe, and know Him. That’s the one thing!
Make the focus of your earthly life the one thing that ultimately brings eternal life.
Hally Franz is a former high school guidance counselor turned stay-at-home mom. She enjoys being a 4-H leader, church secretary, book club member, and traveler.
