October 13, 2011 - Acts 20:24

“’However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.’” Acts 20:24.
Paul was expressing to the Ephesian elders something that had become such a deep part of who he was. He believed that his whole life was wrapped up in bringing Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Lord of All, to all people, Jews and Gentiles, in this known part of the world. This was not just giving an intellectual assent to following Jesus; it was the total thrust of Paul’s life and his total focus and involvement. He had staked his life on this, and nothing in life came anywhere close to being worthwhile to take its place. Not even life itself was as important to Paul as was bringing the message of salvation through Jesus to all people. He would not stop this mission for the remainder of his life. Jesus was truly Paul’s all in all.
I am deeply challenged to consider whether or not Jesus is my all in all. If that were so, I would not be concerned about what people, even my own family, would think of me. Fear would no longer have its grip on my life. Many other obstacles would no longer stand in the way. My only concern would be to love and to glorify God in each and every area of my life.
Questions to consider: What hinders you from having Jesus be your all in all? How do these hindrances keep you from wholeheartedly following Jesus? What steps can you take to move closer to following Jesus with all that you are? Are you willing to take that step?
Prayer: Father, I confess to You that I do not follow You with all that I am. I still hold things back. Please help me to lay these things aside and follow You wholeheartedly. Make me hungry and thirsty to see that being in Your presence is the only thing that will satisfy all of my needs. Help me to say, with all of my heart that which Paul stated: “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race…the Lord has given me.” Amen.