“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
This verse is a part of Paul’s words to the elders from the church at Ephesus. He had sent for them so that he could minister to them one last time. He was on his way to testify before some “very important people” based on the world’s measurement of importance, and at the end of that journey would be the end of his race. Paul had false charges brought against him and, because of that, had the opportunity to testify before several notable people along the way and could have, on more than one occasion, be released from prison, except that he had appealed to the highest authority on earth at the time – Caesar Augustus!
It wasn’t that Paul wanted to be in jail and stand trial before all of these different governmental and religious officials, it was a matter of finishing his ministry; his race. The Lord had called Paul one day when he was traveling to Damascus to find and arrest Christians, literally knocking him off of his horse (whatever it takes to get someone’s attention, that’s what the Lord will do!) and speaking to him. Once Paul (or Saul as he was known at that time) accepted the Lord, then he received his call, his marching orders, as it were. Paul was to be the apostle to the Gentiles. That would eventually take him to the top Gentile — Caesar.
Perhaps your race and your calling are not quite as dramatic and far-reaching as the Apostle Paul’s, but you have received a ministry from the Lord just the same. The key for everyone is to run the race the Lord has set before them. Your calling, your ministry, is not like anyone else’s but that does not make anyone else’s more or less significant.
The Lord has you where He has you for His purpose, not yours. It might seem as if you have no one to testify to or minister to, but take a step back and take another look; who do you see that is within view? Who are the ones whose lives you have the opportunity to impact for the Lord? It could be children, even young children or possibly the elderly or those who are poor. How can you compare the impact your life is having on a few people that God has in your life with the ministry of Paul? Did you even get knocked off of a horse to have God call you and commission you? Probably not. Has God sent you to testify to the most powerful people in your region or even in the world? Probably not.
Your calling and your ministry are unique and special. God’s grace toward you is the same as it is for all mankind and yet is also exclusively for you. Everyone has the opportunity to receive the grace of God for salvation and then, for those who do, God’s grace is new (and sufficient) for each day. Your life, your journey with the Lord is filled with one-of-a-kind examples of God’s grace.
Therein is your testimony, your ministry to the ones the Lord has in your life: testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Yes, the Lord had an important race for Paul to run, but yours is just as important, for it is the same, while being totally unique; share your story. Testify!
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