Do it with joy
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:224
What is your life worth to you? In today’s culture there is a lot of focus on self-worth and self-care. Much of our society has an entitlement mentality that believes they deserve every advantage and every comfort that life has to offer. Overall, we have become a generation of getting what is rightfully mine and looking out for number 1. The servant mindset is rare to find, and the world is largely determined not to let anyone take advantage of them.
The apostle Paul had a much different idea about his value. He did not try to preserve or keep his life free from trouble and stay in his “comfort zone.” Most of his traveling was anything but comfortable. He heart was set on completing his mission and the assignment on his life. In today’s verse he said that he was not moved by impending dangers and knowing that chains and tribulations waited for him. Nor did he run and hide to be secure and protect his life. That wasn’t what was valuable to him but rather finishing his race with joy and telling others about the message of salvation that he was charged with.
Oh, that we would step into this wisdom in the day that we live in. That we would not count our life dear to us but that we would value more than anything else the call on our life and completing the mission we were born to accomplish. Even though Paul was heading a different direction before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he had grown up with mission in mind. He was set on a course to be God’s minister and trained from a young age by the Pharisees of his day. Most of us will not start from that point, but we can begin where we are today.
Your mission starts with faithfulness. Faithfulness in every area of your life. Being honest with yourself and others and staying focused on what is most important in life and that is caring for and bringing others to Him. Start by being faithful to meet with God at the beginning of each day. Make time for Him and give Him priority. That is the first step of faithfulness to His kingdom. You must change your way of thinking from self-centered to God centered and that will require a constant renewing of your mind.
Next begin to give Him first place in every area of life. Your faith, family, finances, fitness and fun. As you begin to rearrange your life to be God-centered, you will still have trails that come, but none of those things will move you off the course you have been set on. As you make Him and His plan your purpose in life, that will be all that matters to you to fit into your busy schedule. Instead of being busy with work and activities, you will become active in ministry and helping others and most of all, don’t forget the joy. Joy doesn’t come automatically, you must have a thankful heart and purpose that no matter what, you are rejoicing in being called and living your life with purpose from on high.
Today I want to encourage you to count your life worthless. If you have not purposefully positioned yourself on the assignment from heaven, begin to change that today. Start by taking steps away from being faithful to yourself and turn to head in the direction of being faithful in the kingdom of heaven. Make God’s agenda your agenda and highest priority. Spend time in His presence each day by studying His word and promises and talking with Him about your purpose for the day. Watch for open doors to reach out and encourage others. Be the hope and light in the dark world around you. Help others to Jesus by shining His light wherever you go. Soon you will see that the only thing that matters in life, the only thing that will count for ever, is pointing others to their hope of salvation in the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 20:17-24
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
The Daily Dose 