my prayer this morning from Acts 20.24
"...so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify of the gospel of the grace of God."
"My ministry," of course, is not to preach but to be a witness in the body of all that comes my way. I've often wondered at why my life has taken the course if has. My greatest joy would not have been my wedding day but the day the nurse handed me my precious daughter. I did not wait when the Lord said to wait upon getting married and in spite of my stubborness, "out of Moab" I got Rachel. Without a doubt she has been my greatest joy. But to "finish my course with joy," I must focus elsewhere since she is married and out on her own. That "elsewhere" would be the testimony He has given me to stand for true and right.
Recently, the employer mentioned periodically working on Sundays. I had to stand my conviction and tell him "it's not that I can't but I won't work on Sundays." I also told him, in front of others since he was pushing the matter, that it had been a standard all my working life. I humbly submitted that if he needed to find someone else to do the job, I would understand. He replied, that "he wouldn't fire me it would be my decision." I said, "I'm making the decision now, I won't work on Sunday." I felt confrontation and weak kneed but by the "grace of God." was able to stand.
The point is this is my "ministry." It is my purpose in life to witness of His truth and righteousness in the way I conduct my life. If He gets glory, Amen, if not, I will answer for it at the judgment seat.
To sum up - I understand and am impressed of the Holy Spirit this morning that it is His will for my life that I "testify of the grace of God," in all situations.
Amen.
Ps 57.7
