Compelled by the Spirit

Wow. I stumbled across some incredible scripture this morning. Acts 20…Paul’s farewell to the Ephesians.

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20: 24

My boy Lecrae starts off his song “Sold Out” with these lyrics, “Man I consider my life nothing. If I could just finish the race and complete the job the Lord Jesus gave me. I live to tell the world His message. Romans 1:16 I’m not ashamed. I ain’t ashamed. We sold out. Seeking God’s face to we fold out.”

I can’t fully explain in words my desire to complete the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. This passion in my heart carries two sides of emotion. My first emotion is excitement and thrill to carry out His gospel to those who haven’t heard. My second emotion is humility and unworthiness. Who am I to carry such knowledge and foundational understanding of God’s gospel message? But as I read this passage of scripture Paul first jumps back to the foundation of what Acts seems to be all about: the power of the Spirit. He says in verse 22, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” He is compelled by the Spirit. How great and mighty is the Spirit of God? Obviously God is much greater than us in his plan and schedule for our lives. This I can relate to my current life as my parents are about to move everything to Beaumont, TX. No, they have never lived in Texas, and, yes, they are of the young age of 53. Why are they moving? The Spirit is leading them to a new music ministry at a church that appears to have a very strong congregation. My parents need and desire this journey. We must let the Spirit lead. How pitiful are we when we let our daily comforts lose focus on God’s movement and the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. He is greater. We are less. Nothing in our whole body and knowledge should ever attempt to out-due or out-work Christ and his Holy plan.

*On a side note: Our lazy attempts at life has a direct relationship with people’s attentiveness on mission trips. I pray the Spirit is the sole reason people are attending mission trips today. My heart burns when people attend mission trips solely because of comfort and peace. Why do some continue to bury their spiritual gifts in a trip guided away from their natural ability? Broken relationships? A dislike for others on the trip? I hope not. Let the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ lead your life of missions, and never let evil treasure get in the way.

The bottom line is that we are here to complete the task the Lord Jesus has given us. I pray this is my heartbeat. I pray this is the heartbeat of every Christian in the sanctuary at Temple Baptist. I pray this for my family, friends, and coworkers. Do they see the fullness of Christ? I pray we may never forget the fullness of Christ and the necessity to always be searching for the lost. Take a “risk” and do something different for the Lord’s Kingdom today.