22 And now, compelled by the Spirit and obligated by my convictions, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly [and emphatically] affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me. 24 But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].
Have you ever said “Yes” to something without fully knowing what awaits you? The classroom, the job, helping a friend, or just stepping out into the day. Sometimes we press on even though we do not fully understand what awaits us.
This is the ministry of Paul. We get a rare glimpse into how the Lord leads Paul. Verse 22 says the Spirit compels him to go to different cities. The Holy Spirit also warns him that imprisonment and suffering await him, and yet he goes anyway. “But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus.” The message he is coming with will shake the very earth where he sets his feet: “to testify of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].”
Don’t get caught up in Christianese speech and debating the mysteries of God’s Word. There will be plenty of time for that. Fill your ministry time with that same message that Paul went about preaching, the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
We must first understand and practice giving this message before we get into the meatier things of the Word of God. This message should rise above all of our personal issues. Paul even said his own life was of no value when it comes to this message.
You may not be facing prison time because of your preaching, but you could be in a lonely place where your old friends shun you because of your newfound devotion to Christ. Paul went where the Holy Spirit led him without reservation. Are we willing to lead a “without reservation” kind of Christian life? It is a question that all of us should wake up and answer every morning. Without reservation I will follow Christ. Without reservation I will… Fill in here what the Holy Spirit is guiding you to do.
Recently, I found myself in a position where I was without a job and staring down a road with much uncertainty. After many attempts, it became clear to me that my quest to find employment was turning into a calling to start my own business. So I started a business, the first one ever for me. It was the open door the Lord had shown me. I have learned to listen to the Holy Spirit much more closely today than before. I can identify with Paul: “Go,” and he went. “Start a business,” and I did. Every day is another chance to listen and be directed by the Holy Spirit. The Lord is faithful, and He will open doors only He can open and shut the ones only He can shut. So today, take the first step the Holy Spirit is guiding you into. It is the open door the Lord wants you to walk through.
Prayer: Father, help me to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow where You want me to go. I pray that all sin, bitterness, and shame would be gone and cast away. I look forward to the path You will lead me down. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let It Go 
Leave a comment