22 Now, compelled by the Spirit, I’m going to Jerusalem. I don’t know what will happen to me there. 23 What I do know is that the Holy Spirit testifies to me from city to city that prisons and troubles await me. 24 But nothing, not even my life, is more important than my completing my mission. This is nothing other than the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus: to testify about the good news of God’s grace.
Reflection
Today’s scripture is a quote from the Apostle Paul, it is a portion of his farewell to the leaders of the church in Ephesus. What always strikes me about Paul’s statement here, is his willingness to go wherever the Spirit is leading him, no matter the troubles that await him. In this statement you can feel Paul’s passion and conviction about his mission. He knows that as long as he is doing the work God has given him to do, there is nothing for him to fear. I find this example both inspiring and challenging.
When I read the scripture for today in my Bible, I came across some questions I had written in the margins next to this passage some years ago. The questions I wrote were: “What is my purpose? How am I being led by the Holy Spirit?” I am not exactly sure when I wrote those questions, I didn’t date them, but as I reflect on them now, I know they apply to me as much today as the day that I wrote them, whenever that was.
If I am honest with myself, I can’t say that I have always listened to the Spirit’s direction. Maybe because I was fearful of the challenges that were awaiting me? Or maybe I didn’t spend enough time listening for the Spirit’s direction? But, as I look back on different challenges I have faced, I can always see how God helped me face them. God has always been faithful.
So, as I try to answer my questions now, I am starting to realize that living out our God given purpose, is something that we constantly need to seek direction and strength from the Spirit for, it is a life long journey, we need to keep on seeking the answer and the direction the Spirit is giving us. As the Apostle Paul tells us nothing is more important than completing our mission.
by Manny Estevez
For Pondering and Prayer
What is your purpose? How are you being led by the Holy Spirit?
Prayer: Holy God, give us strength and wisdom so that we may we listen to how you are leading and guiding us today to face the challenges in our lives and do the work you are calling us to do. May your grace and peace protect us as we continue our journey toward the completion our mission. Amen.
