The apostle Paul summed his ministry up best when he said in Acts 20:24:
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.
If ever there were a man faithful to his calling, it would be the apostle Paul, who was pulled out of his old life of sin and destruction and set on a path to fulfill an amazing legacy
Earlier in Acts, chapter 9, we read the incredible story of Paul’s blinding encounter with the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. It was at that moment that Paul was transformed and later commissioned in his calling.
But no calling comes without cost. Not even for the apostle Paul.
Jump with me back to Acts 20 starting in vs 22, where we find Paul in the midst of his ministry.
He’s saying goodbye to the Ephesian elders before he heads off to Jerusalem, a place they did not want him to go.
He’s in essence going to tell them, this is what I’m willing to do to remain faithful to the call of God.
Acts 20:22-27
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by[d] the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
We may not have a mighty mission like Paul, but God has placed a unique calling on every Christian’s life. We can follow Paul’s example to remain faithful to our calling. Here are three ways to do just that.
1. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit
Remember what Paul said in Acts 20:22:
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.”
The Holy Spirit didn’t ‘force’ him, but rather compelled him, and Paul responded to the prompting. To Paul, there was no other option.
Many today would argue that if God wants me to do this or that, He’s going to have to clunk me over the head and yell through a megaphone. The Holy Spirit’s promptings are precise and clear but He WILL NOT pressure you.
It is your job to remain pliable to His promptings.
Many years ago I sensed the calling to leave my fitness business and venture into ministry. I was excited yet terrified. Fitness and business were my wheelhouses. But I knew the Lord’s voice. And I knew I was at a pivotal point. I could respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and step out into the great unknown, or I could stay in my comfort zone and miss my calling.
2. Embrace sufferings.
In Acts 20, Paul said goodbye to the believers in Ephesus. He was bound by the spirit to go to Jerusalem where afflictions awaited him. It was God’s will for Paul to go to Jerusalem, be arrested, imprisoned, and travel to Rome where he would bear witness before kings and rulers. In essence, it was God’s will that Paul should suffer.
This goes against much of the Christian belief today that says the call of God on your life will be happy and smooth sailing. But this belief isn’t biblical.
Many today would have said to Paul, “What are you doing? You’ve got a good thing going here in Ephesus. Look at the impact you’re making! Surely this all comes from God.”
Perhaps you won’t have to endure imprisonment, and physical abuse but you will for sure have to endure trials and testing.
James 1:12 reminds us “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Yes, my friend, salvation is free, but the anointing will cost you everything.
3. Finish well.
When I was younger, I loved to run races. From the age of 7, I would dart around the track dreaming of being in the Olympics. I loved the 55- and 100-meter dashes. They were short and powerful. I loved giving it my all and then being finished.
But as I got older, I went to a school that had a less-than-stellar track team and we were always short on runners. My coach saw potential in me and stuck me in the longer races. I hated them. I had to learn how to pace myself. I couldn’t employ my “all out” attitude. I needed to develop endurance.
And the one thing that helped is the same thing that will help you in your race in life, and that is …to focus on the prize.
Paul said in vs 24, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Paul was a man determined to finish well. His motivation was made abundantly clear in Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
I pray that as you move forward in your calling, you will follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, embrace the sufferings, and aim to finish well, just like Paul did. When you do, you too will be able to hear those wonderful words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
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