Finish the Course

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)

What were you called to do? What is your ministry? Are you still on course or did you get derailed? As I was reading about Paul, I started taking an inventory of my life and I realized that there were periods when I went off course or I stagnated. And most of the time it was because I had taken my eyes off of what was most important. I had either gotten distracted with what others were doing or I got stuck looking at my own limitations or weaknesses. But, the Word of God always brought things back into perspective. And the life of Paul is a great example of keeping the faith and staying on course, focused on Kingdom work and not on the things of this world.

I imagine that most of us are striving for more and bigger and better in this short life on earth, and yet, what is most important and valuable is completing what God has given each of us to do. This does not mean that everything else is not important, but that there are things we need to put first, like Matthew 6:33 tells us. And today we are given another chance and new mercies to start over, to refocus, and to live our lives in such a way that we finish the course and complete the ministry we were given.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)