Skip to main content

Our Only Aim

           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 20:24)

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (Matthew 22:37-39)

Paul had a singular focus. Some might have said that he had tunnel vision. There was one thing, and one thing alone that mattered to him. On the road to Damascus, Jesus had given him a job to do, and nothing else mattered. Everything revolved around that one thing.

I’ve known some people obsessed in that way. Nothing else matters but their team, their show, their family, their career. According to the second passage above, we should all be similarly dominated by what is ultimately the same thing as Paul: to love God and love our neighbors as they should be loved.

But, oh, the struggle. Where does writing, crafting, gardening, working, walking the dog, reading, cooking, canning, or even doing housework fit in that? Of course, Paul was a tentmaker, but his making tents was a means to the end of proclaiming Christ. And when we read about him in the book of Acts, or read his words, we might find ourselves thinking that his life was a lot simpler than it was. After all, Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and told him what His will was with regard to Paul’s life. I’ve been guided. I know I’ve been guided, but not with a long-term perspective provided. I’m going along the road of my life and trusting that God will tell me where the exits are.

And a closer reading of Acts suggests that Paul wasn’t without dilemmas and struggles. There was the thorn in the flesh. There was the argument that separated him from Barnabas. There were the escapes and the times of being blocked from going where he thought he was supposed to go.

Regardless, Paul’s goal should be ours – to complete the task God has given us, and to the extent that we don’t know what that is, the next best thing is to live in such a way that if God were to call us to do something specific, we would be ready, willing, and able to respond.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more