Worth Nothing to Me

PASSAGE OF THE DAY:
Acts 20 (click the link)


KEY VERSE:
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 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.” (Acts 20:22-24, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
The Apostle Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and everywhere he went he had warnings of prison and hardships… yet he was not holding onto his life, seeking his own agenda, or shrinking back in any way. Instead, he considered his life worth nothing to him, and pressed on to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given him—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

I was thinking about how easy it could be for me to think that I follow the same statement of purpose as the Apostle Paul. I’m serving God, reaching out to students, trying to love the people around me. But then I pause and ask myself:

Am I really compelled by the Spirit?

Am I really moving at the direction of God?

Am I willing to pursue God's path for me, even if hardships and suffering lay ahead?

I think often, instead, I am compelled by my own emotions, my ego, my preferences, my own agendas. When things are familiar and comfortable, when it won’t be too taxing on me physically or emotionally—I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.

In other words, do I really consider my life worth nothing to me? Or is some of me, trying to preserve my own goals, remain safe and comfortable, or self-promote in some way?

The steps that I must take to make my life conform more to the Apostle Paul’s statement of purpose for life, are to push forward when the hardships come, to press on even if I don't know what will happen to me.

I have to fight against every hesitation, the fears that entangle, the sins that easily ensnare.

There are people to meet and conversations to be had; in fact, the gospel obligates me to everyone.

The spiritual battle seems only more and more fierce, but the gospel “is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

As I get older, I have to fight against my body, against notions of wanting to just slow down, of just settling into grooves.

When things are going rough, no matter how much I want to crawl under the covers, I have to get up.

When I do not want to have a tough conversation or be confrontational or rock the boat, I have to deny myself and do the hard thing.

When I am hurt, I have to let go and forgive, and be gracious.

Though prison may not lie ahead, hardships certainly will. I must embrace this and press on.

To make my life conform more to the Apostle Paul’s statement of purpose, I must ensure every moment of my life is living for Jesus, for the One who rescued me and gave me a purpose.

………

I’m thankful for the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task to testifying to the gospel of his grace. I can consider my life worth nothing to me—just when I think about my own experience of his endless mercy and grace, that he would ennoble my life that was once in such hopeless darkness and despair with such purpose and hope.

The power of Christ's grace in my life compels me to press on. It’s his Spirit, the truth of his gospel, and the love that I have received that empower me to press on. And as I press on, I have the undeserved privilege of experiencing his grace touch the lives of others.

I am blown away when I pause to consider what God is done in and through my life, as well as in and to the life of our church family. As I think about the past few months, about the ways that God has used me and our church family to touch the lives of children and youth and the homeless and the forgotten grandmothers in nursing homes and the widows and hurting folks of our community, I am so amazed at the goodness and grace of God. His grace so boundless! What an undeserved privilege I have—we have—to represent him!

When I think about what God has done and is doing in and through me, I am reminded that I cannot slow down. I am encouraged to keep pressing on. I am inspired to more fully deny myself and live for him.

PRAYER:

Lord, let this statement reign true in my life.

Let me not find value and worth in the things of this world. Give me satisfaction and strength in the task ahead, sharing your Word and proclaiming your Name.

Let me run swiftly with confidence and finish well. I want to be a good and faithful servant in all that I do.

Whatever my calling may be, let me do it with pride and to the full, finding joy and contentment no matter the circumstances.

I want to be nothing; you to be everything; and share with others the Someone.

Let boldness and authority be my closest allies, casting out fear and timidity. You are the Lion of Judah that offers peace and serenity, but the day will come for judgment to befall mankind. 

Please make this a generation of forerunners, running the race as a unified team with the one goal of spreading your renown and sharing the hope that we have.

WHO AM I?

My name is Tres Sansom, and my spiritual gift is Sarcasm. I was recently labeled as "an annoying big brotherly type thing" by one of my favorite people because my favorite pastime when she's around is poking, poking, poking at everything she says and does. The funny thing is, that countless people could use to "term" to describe my relationship with them. Because that's the way I treat just about everyone I love.