SCRIPTURE: Acts 20
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. [Matthew 16:21] Jesus understood His mission, and He knew that His survival was not most important, but fulfilling His divine destiny. Paul seems to have this same sense.
He is driven by a sense of divine destiny or purpose. He is determined to go to Jerusalem, and then to Rome [Acts 19:21] even though he senses by the Spirit that he will suffer there. Jesus also senses this for Himself. People living for themselves have a hard time understanding this. I am not sure I would be open to it, though I do want to live for God and His purpose.
But Paul’s passion to do the Lord’s will, to serve His kingdom, to proclaim His message (all night long, people fell asleep, one even died). He considers his life nothing compared to finishing the task, the race assigned to him. This must have been very hard, for no doubt he loved the people he had seen come to faith.
What is my divine destiny, or sense of purpose? What compels me? Do I sense the Spirit leading me somewhere? Am I zealous for the Lord? Am I prepared to make sacrifices for this? Am I prepared to forgo my comfort or my own little kingdom dreams, for the sake of Jesus and His Kingdom?
Both Jesus and Paul were driven, in a good way. Led by, or driven by, the Spirit of God, the kingdom of God, the purpose of God. Here we see Paul on fire for this. I am inspired and humbled.
May I rediscover my sense of calling and purpose. May I consider my life nothing compared to finishing the task. May I preach for hours and hours and hours so that people fall asleep (well, maybe not that last one).
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to never be lacking in zeal, but to keep my spiritual fervor, serving You!