A Single Aim

A SINGLE AIM

a prayer to open

Holy Spirit, come. Center my heart.

Fill my mind. Guide my steps.

But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.

When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

“And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again.

How did Paul endure so much suffering, persecution, and pain? How did he continue to go from place to place, knowing that prison and hardship awaited him? How did he face such severe testing with humility and without losing hope or faith? In Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian church elders, we learn that what kept him going was clarity about what God had called him to do. His “only aim” (verse 24, NIV) was to complete that task.

• Read this passage again. What word or phrase stands out to you? Sit quietly, reminding yourself that you are in God’s loving presence, and ask him to show you how that word or phrase connects to your life.
• What has God called you to do in this season of your life? If you don’t have clarity, pray for guidance, asking him to make it clear. Also, ask people who know you well where they see you most alive and connected to God.
• Busyness and multitasking are often the “hardships” (verse 23, NIV) that distract us from God’s calling on our lives today. What tasks, errands, hobbies, and other activities—though they may themselves be good—keep you from what God has called you to do? What is he inviting you to do to regain your focus?

Father, thank you for the reminder that you have called me to love and extend your grace into the world in a unique way. You have given me gifts, skills, and a sphere of influence. Help me step into all you’re asking of me and know what to continue and what to release so I can focus on my Kingdom assignment. Grant me the faith and courage to end the activities that distract me. My life is yours. Use me for your purposes. Amen.