Finish Well

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Acts 20:24

The book of Acts is the incredible account of how a handful of frightened believers in Jerusalem committed their lives to Jesus Christ and spread the gospel, transforming an entire empire in only three decades. All this without automobiles, mass communication, internet access or cell phones. It’s quite remarkable when you think about it. 

In Acts 20, Paul is about to head to Jerusalem, even though he knows it is a dangerous place for him to go. There had been plots against his life, but the message of salvation through Christ burned deep in Paul’s heart and he refused to let jail, suffering, or even the threat of death keep him from that mission. “My life is worth nothing to me,” Paul says, “unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.” 

Paul’s passion was to run a good race for Christ, even if it entailed hardships. How many times have we given in or given up because things got a little uncomfortable? There are times when I have considered throwing in the towel, but I have learned that the Christian race is a marathon and not a sprint. God’s grace, His presence and His Holy Spirit working in my life are like water to my thirsty soul. Just when I think I can’t run another step, He renews my strength. 

The cry of my heart (and I hope yours) is to say with Paul, “My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.” Let’s keep running. Let’s finish well.