The Gospel of Christ is Leading...

           A life that is comfortable and well ordered is what America’s culture speaks of as being the norm. Having grown up over in Pakistan, relatively speaking my life was not marked with suffering. I cling to what is comfortable. Comfortable for me is home, the nearness and wisdom of my parents, and the protection of my brothers. I have been loved deeply; I don’t know what deep rejection looks like or what true persecution feels like. Paul’s life was marked by suffering. I’ve read Acts and Paul’s letters many times, but I continually look over the intense suffering and pain that he faced. Pain is not comfortable. Specifically looking at Paul’s address to the Ephesian church elders in Acts 20 I have been challenged in many personal ways.

Paul had spent three years in Ephesus serving the Lord by ministering to the body of Christ there and faithfully teaching. He reminds the Ephesian elders that this was not an easy task for him. The Jews had caused him much suffering by plotting against him. He faced humility and tears. During Paul’s time in Ephesus and in any other place he worked hard to provide for his own physical needs. What Paul remembered in all his actions was what Christ said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. These are all things the Lord has been challenging me with in these days. Recently I hit a wall spiritually and couldn’t identify what was getting me so discouraged and causing such disunity with those around me. Yet as I have been seeking the Lord He graciously has shown me that the heart beat behind all that I’m doing has not been in inline with Him. I have been overwhelmingly selfish in every aspect of my life and I’ve made no effort to serve the body of Christ around me. No wonder there has been such a lack of joy; I have not sought to serve others even if it means sacrifice on my part. Who am I to even think I have anything to sacrifice for it is all Christ’s and for Him and His glory.

The warning that Paul gives to the Ephesian elders is to “Be on guard”. He tells them that there will be spiritual attacks. They are to watch out for people who will seek to cause disunity and bring in false teaching. Paul had taken the time to teach them the whole counsel of God so that they knew what truth was. As a believer it is my responsibility to know the scriptures and to walk in sync with the Holy Spirits leading so that I don’t fall under the influence of false teaching. Our enemy longs to cause disunity and uses disagreements about the Word of God to tare fellowships apart. This is something that must be kept in mind no matter where I’m serving the Lord. It is so important to pray also for those who are shepherding the flocks of believers that they too stay very aware of false teaching.

How did Paul value his life? He valued it as nothing. Despite the fact that He knew the Spirit would lead him to Jerusalem where he would face chains and affliction he longed to finish the course and ministry Christ had assigned for Him. As believers we face this deep inward battle between self and walking in step with God. I know not where the Lord will take me but I long for Him to take me to the Muslim world. My prayer is that I can serve Him with complete surrender. I value my life, I cling to people around me, and I selfishly find ways to get what I want. May God burn all of that away so that I too can walk in the ministry of “testifying to the gospel of God’s grace”. By His grace is he refines me, He is faithful to answer my prayer to prepare me for the road He will call me to walk down. Oh that I might not cling so tightly to comfort and people but only cling tightly to my Savior. Serving Him will bring brokenness, pain, and even chains.

             Paul’s love for the body of Christ caused him to continually face painful farewells. This is something I’ve faced many times growing up. Often they have been farewells when I didn’t know if I’d ever cross paths with friends again. As believers we have the comfort of spending eternity together. Also within Paul’s life, because of his love for the body it led him to have very intimate prayers for his brothers and sisters. The beauty of Christ is found in these times of weeping. He identifies with this pain and it reveals the intimate bond we have in Christ.

               Pain is temporary, though I haven’t experienced intense pain as Paul did I see the extreme importance of asking that the Lord prepare me for whatever pain He will call me to walk through. The Lord has led me glean from Paul’s teaching to the Ephesian leaders about his ministry and how they too should conduct themselves. Having an eternal perspective was the wind that blew Paul’s sails. God is continuing to teach me, break me, and prepare me for what will come next. He knows my every need and longs to see me rooted in His sufficient love.