Do the One Thing: Focusing on What God Has Called You to Right Now

Life can feel overwhelming. There are so many things pulling at our attention—work, family, ministry, dreams, and responsibilities. Sometimes, we get caught up in trying to do everything at once, and instead of making progress, we end up feeling exhausted, discouraged, and stuck.

But what if I told you that God is not asking you to do everything right now?

He’s asking you to focus on one thing—the one thing He’s calling you to in this season.

When we try to juggle too much, we end up distracted, divided, and ineffective. But when we align our focus with what God is calling us to do right now, we find clarity, peace, and the ability to move forward with purpose.

So let’s talk about what it means to do the one thing God is asking of you today—and how that single-minded focus can transform your life.

Why One Thing at a Time?

In a world that glorifies multitasking, the idea of focusing on just one thing might seem counterproductive. But Scripture teaches us that God works through focus, not chaos.

Look at Jesus’ words in Luke 10:41-42 (NLT):

“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

Martha was busy doing many things. Mary, however, chose to focus on one thing—sitting at the feet of Jesus. And Jesus made it clear: Mary had chosen what was best.

Why is focusing on one thing so important?

• It removes overwhelm – Instead of stressing over everything, you can move forward with clarity.
• It strengthens your faith – Trusting God with today’s assignment instead of worrying about tomorrow teaches you dependence on Him.
• It increases your effectiveness – When your energy isn’t scattered, you actually get things done.

When you try to do everything, you end up doing nothing well. But when you do one thing at a time, you make real progress.

What Is God Calling You to Focus on Right Now?

Sometimes, we make the mistake of thinking we need to have everything figured out before we take action. But God doesn’t reveal the whole picture at once—He reveals the next step.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

How do you know what your ‘one thing’ is?

• Ask God in prayer – Have an honest conversation with Him and ask, “Lord, what is the one thing You want me to focus on right now?”
• Look at what He has already placed in front of you – Sometimes, the answer is obvious. It could be completing a project, strengthening a relationship, or stepping into a new opportunity.
• Pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s nudging – That small, persistent tug on your heart? Don’t ignore it.
• Stop worrying about what’s next – Focus on today’s step. God will take care of the rest.

God isn’t asking you to fix everything at once. He’s asking you to be faithful with what’s in front of you.

The Danger of Distraction

Once you know what your one thing is, the enemy will do everything he can to distract you from it.

We see this in Nehemiah 6:3 (NLT):

“So I replied by sending this message to them: ‘I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?’”

Nehemiah was focused on rebuilding the wall. His enemies tried to lure him away, but he refused. He knew that what God had called him to do was too important to be interrupted.

What are the distractions keeping you from your one thing?

• Fear of failure – “What if I mess up?”
• Comparison – “Someone else is doing it better.”
• Busyness – “I have too much on my plate.”
• Doubt – “Is this really what God wants me to do?”

Distraction isn’t always about doing bad things—sometimes, it’s about doing too many things that aren’t meant for you right now.

Nehemiah knew his calling, and he refused to be pulled away. Will you do the same?

Faithfulness Over Perfection

Many of us hesitate to move forward with our one thing because we feel unprepared, unqualified, or unsure. But God never asked for perfection—He asked for faithfulness.

Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) reminds us:

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”

What does faithfulness look like?

• Doing the small things well – Every great thing starts with small steps.
• Being consistent – Show up daily, even when you don’t feel like it.
• Trusting God with the results – Your job is obedience, not control.

If you wait until you feel ready, you’ll never start. If you wait until things are perfect, you’ll never move.

Start with what you have. God will take care of the rest.

Stay in Your Lane

When God calls you to focus on one thing, it’s easy to get distracted by what others are doing.

We compare ourselves to people who seem ahead of us. We get frustrated when our progress feels slow. But comparison is one of the fastest ways to lose focus.

Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT) says:

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

How do you stay in your lane?

• Celebrate small progress – Every step forward is worth celebrating.
• Remember that your journey is unique – No one else has your exact calling or assignment.
• Keep your eyes on Jesus – He’s the only one you need to follow.

When you focus on your own calling, you won’t have time to be distracted by someone else’s.

Final Thoughts: Just Do the One Thing

Right now, God is calling you to focus on one thing. Not everything. Not ten different things. Just one thing.

It might be:

• Writing the book He’s placed on your heart.
• Deepening your relationship with Him.
• Starting that ministry.
• Healing from past wounds.
• Investing in your marriage or family.
• Stepping into a new opportunity.

Whatever it is, do that thing. Stop worrying about the whole journey. Just take the next step.

And when distractions come? Remember Nehemiah:

“I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come.”

Your calling is too important to be interrupted. Stay focused. Stay faithful. Do the one thing.

Are you ready to start? Let today be the day you take your next step.

Marissa Leinart

Founder & Author
me@evenbetter.app

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