March 4, 2004

[Kidan]

Quote[/b] ]None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself . . .
—Acts 20:24

Quote[/b] ]It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.

What do I count in my life as "dear to myself"? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as "dear to myself." But Paul said he considered his life dear so that he might fulfill the ministry he had received, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves, "Remember how useful you are here, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work." That attitude chooses our own judgment, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use—but always consider that "you are not your own" ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 ). You are His.

 

[Kidan]

Quote[/b] ]
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 20:24

What's happening in this verse is that Paul is about to go to Jeursalem and he knows that he'll be arrested and tried there. But rather being scared, or not desiring to go, he's ready and willing to walk there, and is unafraid of the fate in store for him. He's ready to lay it all on the line, to preach the gospel!

Why? Because he was told by Jesus to do so.

It was a call from God to spread the Word. An undeniable, unrelenting, unending need to teach and witness.

Have you ever felt that? Have you ever sought that call from God? Once you find it, it's there. You know it. You know what God wants you to do to help further His kingdom. How you're supposed to do it, that's not always clear, but it's clear that you need to.

Today, I encourage you to seek His will and call for your life. Whether it's being a Sunday School Teacher, or a full-fledged pastor. Seek how God wants you to further His kingdom. Ask Him to show you your calling.

Then once you've find it. Once you know. Go and do.