Tags
Today we briefly go back into the history of the church as we visit Acts 20. Paul is saying goodbye to the elders of the Ephesus and he lets them know that where ever he goes, prison and hardship are part of his future. It is humbling to see that even while he looks to a future of suffering, Paul sees hope in verse 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. How often do I ask God to take my burdens away instead of asking God to allow me to finish this race strong. Reading this today has given me a new perspective on how I should be approaching my life of service to God. Instead of asking for my life to be easy, I should be asking God to give me strength when (not if) life gets hard. I also need to consider hardship as an honor when it comes to serving God, not a burden. I know this is easier said than done, but it gives me a new perspective of how things should be.
Daily Devotion 
One of the most amazing sites I saw when in Rome a few years ago was the Mamertine prison where Paul and Peter were imprisoned. To read verses 36-38 now (after seeing and being in the prison) makes the Bible really come alive. To know that they all cried because they knew that they would never see Paul again really hits home. They knew that he wasn’t coming back.
I’m a history nerd, so I enjoy and appreciate the “realness” of the Bible. Obviously, I believe by faith like all of us do, but to have experienced something tangible like that, to have walked the same floor that Paul walked, was pretty amazing.
My hope is to one day walk the same ground that Jesus walked in Isreal and to be able to bring history back to life like I did in the Mamertine prison.
D, I like what you wrote about this. I totally agree with what you said. Stop always wanting to take the easy road and give me the strength to get through this! Like you quoted in verse 24, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus.” This is such a statement of courage! To go through hardship and completely release it into God’s hands is much better than to take the high road and not go through it at all! You’re missing exactly what God’s favour and relationship is all about!
Awesome!