Ready for Anything?

Paul and his companions were in Caesarea at Philip’s house and a prophet came and gave them a glimpse into what the future held. He showed Paul that if he went on to Jerusalem he would end up in serious trouble, bound and handed over to the authorities. It was not good news. Paul’s companions were very upset by this news and began begging him not to go. It is here that we see the true commitment of Paul. You can almost picture him looking into their eyes and saying, “You don’t get it. Jesus is so good and his purposes are so important that even my own death is worth it.” He says “I AM READY. TO DIE FOR THE NAME (cause) OF THE LORD JESUS.”

 

The application for me is very obvious and very hard. It is summed up in the question, “What I am ready to do for the cause of Christ?” How much discomfort am I willing to endure so that other people will know about Jesus? These are very hard questions and reveal pretty ugly things about me. The truth is that I don’t think I am willing to die for Jesus today. I am not sure if I am willing to be bound for Him either. I would love to come to the point where I love Him that much … love Him that much more than I love myself. I wonder what God would do through me if I could say like Paul, “I am ready for anything, even death.”?

 

I am not sure what to pray today. Help, Father, to have a greater love for you and what you want to do on earth so that would increasingly be willing to give up my life for You.