Text by Mari Anjeli Crisanto
Read:
Acts 20:18-24 (NASB)
18 And when they came to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was beneficial, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.
Reflect:
What would you say is your purpose in life? Many books have been written about finding our purpose. Classes, seminars, and different talks from different motivational speakers have been given with the aim of helping us discover meaning in this borrowed time on earth. A sense of calling could be important to us because, somehow, we have seen that those who have identified their reason for living have a different, stronger drive than those who don’t. A sense of calling gives us a reason to live and a reason to die as well.
Paul in the book of Acts says, “… I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24)”. It is clear to Paul that his life’s purpose is to testify about the good news of God’s grace. He actually considers his life as nothing and that his only aim is to finish what Jesus has called him to do.
What about us? What is our aim? Like Paul, will we also get to a point where we will not care about what happens to us as long as we live to testify about what Jesus has done in our lives? We don’t have to be a full time missionary like him. We don’t have to be a pastor nor do we even have to be a life group leader to share God’s good news. But whatever God has called us to be, may we always live to testify.
Respond:
Dear friend, have you found your purpose in life? What is it that gives your life meaning? Has God been calling you to tell others about what He has done for us? If yes, don’t be afraid to step out and count everything as loss as you share His wonderful news.
Mari Anjeli Crisanto currently resides in the Salad Bowl of the Philippines - La Trinidad, Benguet! She is a wife, a mom, a full-time educator, and a daughter of the King. She worships God through songs and scribbles. Words deeply impact her. This is why she loves God's Word because, more powerful than any other word, it can cut through us, transforming you and me.
AUTHOR: MARI ANJELI CRISANTO