Worth Everything

Acts 20:13-27

My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:24)

PÁDRAIG—LATER KNOWN as Saint Patrick—was captured by Irish pirates and held in bondage for six years in the late 400s. After his escape and return to Britain, he had a vision that would send him back to Ireland as a missionary. He followed his assignment, persevered against opposition and hardships, baptized thousands of people, and formed new Christian communities. Many Irish today consider him to be their patron saint and foremost apostle.

Paul spoke often of his assignment as an apostle of the message of Jesus, and no one could accuse him of not taking it seriously. He had received clear instructions from the Lord in a dramatic encounter with Jesus, and it shaped the rest of his life. He was relentless in his pursuit of his calling and very aware of his need to fulfill it. He persevered through numerous trials and much opposition to finish his assignment because the task was bigger than his life. He was determined to complete it or die trying.

Paul, Patrick, and many others throughout history have been given a specific assignment to fulfill, while countless others have been given a general assignment. The pattern we observe among Christian believers is that those who have a strong and specific sense of calling work zealously and endure a lot, while those who are aware of a general calling are usually less motivated. If we consider only the calling, this pattern is understandable. If we consider the caller, it doesn’t make sense.

Most of us admire people like Paul and Patrick for their unique roles in history. But we tend to minimize the importance of our own roles as God’s children, as if that were any less of a calling. It isn’t. Every moment matters. Every believer is sent into the world as salt and light. Every relationship is an opportunity to reflect God’s nature. And every calling—specific or general—is bigger than our own lives. Why? Because of the one who calls. Serve him wholeheartedly in every situation.

{Father, there are no small callings in your Kingdom. You are worthy of my life, however you choose to use it. May I fulfill any assignment you give me, specific or not, with all my heart every moment of every day. Amen.