Finish Well

Daily Devotional - 2 September 2020

“My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
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This morning, I was struck anew by the conviction, dedication and determination of Paul’s words. “My life is worth nothing...” His very breathe and the beat of his heart was owed to the work assigned to him by his Saviour, Jesus, whom he had met on the road to Damascus. But what prompted this pronouncement makes it even more incredible. “I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead” (Acts 20:22-23). The Holy Spirit had set Paul on a path that would lead to assured suffering–he knew this–but he never wavered. I am somewhat awed by his response. Would I show the same resolve? That no matter the suffering, I must follow the course God has set before me...otherwise my life is worth nothing?

I hope that I would do so, but even though I am fairly certain I would continue to walk stalwartly in the direction God had shown, I’m less convinced that I would be as uncomplaining. On our continent we are not accustomed to facing persecution for our faith. Of course, we are liable to face contempt, repudiation and misunderstanding at the very least; however, incarceration, beatings and even death are not serious threats to our faith...not yet anyways. When we face resistance we are often quick to denounce others, protest over the infringement of our rights and demand justice; many of these responses are not available to our brothers and sisters living in more restricted areas of the world. If we had no hope for recourse, would we echo Paul’s words, “My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God?”
Just a thought worth pondering...
~ Pastor Jane