Acts 20:2-24 (NASB) And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

When my son was just a few months old, I was carrying him across the living room and tripped over the dog (I knew the dog was there, but the lack of sleep with a newborn will get to you)! In those split seconds I did everything I could to make sure I took the brunt of the fall and my infant did not hit the ground. It worked: he wasn’t hurt but I was sure sore!

I’m sure I would have said from the day he was born that I would consider my son’s well-being before my own, but it wasn’t until that moment I knew what that meant. Paul said he put the gospel before his own life, and time and time again he acted it out. He knew there was danger awaiting him in Jerusalem but he followed the Holy Spirit there nevertheless.  

We may not face circumstances as dangerous as Paul did, but there will be times when following Jesus will call for us to put the gospel ahead of our own comfort and our own will. I hope my reaction is always as decisive as Paul’s was.

-Kevi

 

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