Altar Vision Devotional - Week 9 Surrender, no matter what!

Scripture

Decoration image for quotation

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

Reflection

The Apostle Paul gives us an example of what it means to live out the Gospel, fulfilling God’s purpose for his life. He is an imperfect person, but his life can serve as an example to us. He knew what his purpose was, and he lived his life empowered by that purpose, despite opposition and suffering.

Paul’s purpose was given to Ananias shortly after Paul encountered the risen Christ. He was told he was to go to go and proclaim Jesus to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Then Jesus said, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15-16) These words were given to Ananias, who passed it on to Paul, so he was fully aware of the purpose God had for him. (Acts 22:10)

Isn’t it interesting that God has two things for Paul to do? One is proclamation, which we are very familiar with. The other is suffering, which we probably don’t like to think about so much. Paul willingly took up both. Later in his life Paul said, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 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 20:22-24)

The connection between each thing God had for Paul to do, was that living out the one – proclamation, was going to bring the other. Paul goes to Jerusalem to proclaim the Gospel to the rulers and that brings suffering. Paul knew his purpose and surrendered to that, no matter what that meant for him.

As you see God’s purpose for your life and surrender to it, that may well bring suffering. The purpose and the suffering will be different for each of us. God’s purpose may be to stay or to go, to work in business or full-time vocational ministry, to be single or to marry. We need to surrender to that and embrace all that comes with that surrender.

Discover your purpose and live it out. Accept it. Own it, because through it we share the fellowship of Jesus who suffered in our place, and the love of the Father.

Prayer

Lord, help me in my weakness to embrace that which you have called me to. Give me the discernment to see it, the strength to surrender to it and the fortitude to endure the suffering.

Series: Altar Vision

See all Read more...
Event Recap

Missions Fest Vancouver 2020 Wrap-up

A short recap of the 2020 Missions Fest Vancouver conference Read more Read more...

Devotional

Altar Vision Devotional - Week 10

What is the connection between surrender and unity? Read more Read more...

Devotional

Altar Vision Devotional - Week 8

How is surrender a spiritual discipline? Read more Read more...

Devotional

Altar Vision Devotional - Week 7

What is the connection between surrender and mission? Read more Read more...

More on Mission Central

Article

Reflection on Mission Leadership

Leadership development involves learning from different stages and experiences of life, and is most important in missionary service. Read more Read more...

Mission Resource

5 Transitions to Participate as Senders in God’s Global Mission

These five transitions have proven effective for churches to make an impact as missionary sending churches. Read more Read more...

Article

Short Term Missions Focus: Discipleship International

Both at home and in Kenya and Uganda, I have really seen the strength when God's body is in unity. Read more Read more...

Article

To the Ends of the Earth (and around the corner)

Dr. Lockhart shared at a Mission Central round-table discussion for mission leaders and pastors, in Oct 2018. Read more Read more...

Article

Making Disciples

"I pray and hope that people I disciple will grow in intimacy with God in a way that they might be a better model of Jesus" Read more Read more...

Devotional

Altar Vision Devotional - Week 6

If God doesn’t control all my life, does he have any of my life? Read more Read more...

Article

God Uses Your Differences

When we choose to put the focus on Him we move away from asking, “Why me?” to asking, “Can you please use me more?” Read more Read more...

Article

Relational Discipleship: Hard to Measure But Worth Every Moment

Discipling must begin with an incarnational relationship. Read more Read more...