Gospel relationships
How do you serve at Church?
Not at all? When I can? A little bit here and there? As much as I can? As little as I can? With all my heart, soul, mind and strength?
On a scale of 1 - 10, how devoted would you say you were?
It's difficult isn't it to come up with that number? And probably quite unhelpful. Because it can lead us to compare ourselves to others. "I'm a 10 compared to that guy, but a 1 compared to her!" for example. Similar to our financial giving, our giving in service should be generous, in accordance with God's gifts. The apostle Pual sets a high bar of service! But as an apostle, it's what we expect from him:
Acts 20:17-23
17From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.22“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
Here is Paul holding himself up as an example to the elders of the church. He is holding himself up as a trustworthy person. He endured severe testing from many opponents. But he did not give up. He preached faithfully about the need for repentance. And now he is about to continue on. Of course, we are not Paul. We are not all cut out for this sort of life. But in the last line, we cannot distance ourselves:
Acts 20:24
24However, 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.
We all have this task. Th testify to the truth of God's grace. To finish the race before us. We do not choose to be in the race. We just ARE in the race! And it will end when we die or when Jesus returns - whichever comes first. We may not face the same sorts of hardships that Paul faced, but we are running that very same race. What has Jesus entrusted you with? Whether it is a lot or a little, we must complete that task. Where are you called to testify to his truth? At home? Work? School? With friends? Family? We may not face prison because of this, but we still have this task. Will we complete it? Will we do what we are called to do?
Prayer
Father, God, Lord and Saviour, help me to know what my task is - where you have called me to testify to your truth and grace. As a follower of Jesus, do not let me hide the light that you have shown me. Help me to be bold to carry to completion the task you have given me, in Jesus' name and for his glory.
Amen.