Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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To accept the unacceptable
Acts 20: 17-25
‘ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.’ (24)
 In today’s reading we see Paul ready to leave Asia and go to Jerusalem because he has a mission there to proclaim the kingdom of God. Throughout Paul’s ministry he did not shy away from being helpful. He has called people to repentance by preaching the Gospel both in public and to individual households. Paul is so faithful to God and the purpose He has for him that he is actually okay with the fact that wherever he goes persecutions and imprisonment awaits him. He knows that this is the inevitable effect of preaching the message of good news of God’s grace. This is the same mindset Paul takes with him to Rome. 
The reason Paul says his life is worth nothing is not because he thinks he is useless or believes God does not love him. Instead it’s because nothing this world offers is worth sacrificing his loyalty to preaching the gospel to all people. Paul recognizes that his life is nothing in comparison to the glory of the gospel and losing his life in an effort to expand the message of the gospel is losing something of no worth to gain something of great and eternal worth.  Therefore even amidst his present suffering he was never in doubt of his next step. It was the same as the step that got him into the suffering and that was to preach and live out the message of God’s kingdom until all people accept it. He was never unsure because his only aim was to complete this task. Let us ask God to give us the courage to speak truth into our neighbors’ lives despite the suffering we may face for it. Let us submit to Him to increase our love for Him so that we can always approach this commission with the faithfulness that Paul had. A faithfulness that pushes us into constant joy when we live for His purposes despite the guaranteed personal turmoil it will cause us.
Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we thank you for placing us in our current communities. Help us to do all we can to bring the community groups we are a part of to a greater relationship with you in the time you have us there.  Amen.
Thought for the day: Let us strive for His purposes for us with joy and not out of spiteful obligation.

Jebin Yohannan, St Andrew’s MTC, NY


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