Where's the Beach?

Acts 20:24 - today's life journaling


Paul said that the Holy Spirit had warned him that in every city prison and hardships awaited him. But his only aim was to "finish the race" - testifying to the good news of God's grace. Paul knew his life was in jeopardy. He knew he was nearing the end. He had served well as a missionary. He had established churches, appointed elders, spread the gospel, risked his life... He could have retired. He could have felt pretty good about his legacy, become a church consultant, and then just kicked it on the beaches of Greece. Instead, he continued to go into the face of adversity, because his life was "worth nothing" to him.

Come on Paul, can't you give us a little justification to put it on cruise control, play some golf and bask in our own self-worth? Too much is at stake. Paul knew, as we need to remember, that he was on a mission that was not his own. The Holy Spirit cares about us. He warns us about what we will face. But He doesn't always follow it up with, "so you should do something safer." He prepares us and then goes with us. The good news of God's grace is too good not to risk our comfort, our calendars and even our lives for.

Father, when I am tempted to cash it in for a sunny spot and plaques of former fruitfulness, please stop me. Please always give me people in my life who challenge me. And remind me of the lengths You went to get the good news into my soul.