Acts 20

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 ‭NIV‬‬

When you reflect on your life and what you are here on Earth for, what is most important to you?  For Paul, it was his relationship with Jesus Christ, and the task that God had asked him to do, which was to spread the Gospel.  Everything else in life actually seemed insignificant to him.  Regarding his relationship with Jesus, Paul said “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).  All of us can use some refocusing and redirecting when it comes to our priorities.  We can study Paul’s awe-inspiring example to help us remember how critically important it is to nurture our relationship with Jesus and to be dedicated to the work we are called to do for God’s Kingdom.  This brings up an important point:  There is a big difference between your career and your calling.  Your career is what you are trained to do in order to earn a living.  Your calling is something that God has asked you to do with your life, for which He has endowed you with certain spiritual gifts in order to better equip you.  Some people have a grandiose calling, one that allows them to reach people all over the world through their words, music or missions.  Most of us, however, have callings that lead us to affect the people in our immediate family, church, workplace and community.  For those of us with young children/grandchildren:  Our calling is to love, nurture and raise children who will grow up knowing that God loves them and who desire to follow His ways as they live their lives.  For those without children to raise, your calling may simply be to bless others wherever you go, whether that comes through volunteer opportunities, meeting the needs of others, or talking about Jesus with whoever you meet.  Ultimately, the calling for every Christian is to love God, obey God, and love others.  Remember that God values who we are, not what we can achieve, produce, or obtain from working a job.  We should not be as concerned with what we are getting out of life (i.e. the pleasures of the physical world), but be more concerned about what we are putting in to our spiritual life and the lives of those around us.  Paul was more than willing to head towards Jerusalem in order to carry out his calling, even though he knew he was going to face beatings and imprisonment.  In the same way, Jesus was willing to go to the cross for us, because that was His calling while on Earth, even though He knew that it was going to be excruciatingly painful.  Most likely we will not be asked to suffer like Paul and Jesus did.  But, we may have to be unselfish with our time, energy and money in order to fulfill the calling God has on our lives.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:1 “…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”  How do you know what God wants you to do?  Pay attention to your spiritual gifts!  Paul was gifted as an evangelist and someone who could encourage others.  “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.  If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8).  Ask God to reveal your unique set of gifts to you, and make sure not to compare yourself to others in the process.  Your set of gifts are unique to you!  It may take some trial and error before you find your divine niche.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you with this.  Pay attention to whether you feel elated and peaceful in a particular role, or whether you feel unsettled and uncomfortable.  Once you are confident that you have found your calling, follow Paul’s example and “…finish the race…” (2 Timothy 4:7) that God has asked you to run.