3/4/2020
Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move
me, neither I count my life dear to myself.”
In today’s study, Chambers asks me to
consider what I hold dear; that word is deeper than “like” or “enjoy”. Usually,
if you say someone or something is dear to you, it has the connotation that
love is present. The word “love” is used pretty liberally in today's society. People
love everything, from their grandmas to their cars to their favorite dessert,
but honesty, only one of those things truly needs love. So, why do we put our
affection towards the wrong things? Actually, love of self is on the rise too,
and has been for quite some time. Sigh, our vision has been blurred and values
misshapen.
Hence, as I examine what I hold dear, does
Jesus rise to the top of my list? Do I love Him more than anyone else, and even
more than my own life? Do I, like Paul, live for Him? The whole of Acts 20:24
reads, “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.”
I have a dear friend whose parents were
both very faithful. After her father went home to be with the Lord, family and
friends wrote a book about their memories of him. It was an honor that she let
me read this precious tome. I was moved by many of the stories of this wonderful
man’s walk of faith. One thing that stood out to me is that her dad use to say,
“Few men end well.” This is reflective of Paul’s aim, and what her dad also strived
to do. According to my friend and all the stories I read, her dad truly lived
for Jesus; I certainly wish I could have met this wonderful man of God. He was surely
a man that ended well.
Both of these men held Jesus dear above
all. Do I? Chambers says, “If I have not been gripped by Jesus Christ, I will
count service dear, time given to God dear, my life dear unto myself.” What do I
need to be a product of my love and devotion to Jesus? In all I do, I should
never take center stage or accept the praise, but rather give all glory and
honor to Him, for He is my guide and my strength. When I hold Jesus most dear,
I am obedient to His will in my life and all else will flow from there. Chambers
says, “Never consider whether you are of use, but ever consider that you are
not your own but His.”
When I become but a memory, I hope those that
knew me say I ended well, and God says, "Well done, good and faithful one."
For Mr. Robins
Well Done - The Afters
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