Acts 20:24. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Our life is far too short to live for anything other than what God desires most. Paul understood this so deeply that he considered his life “worth nothing” compared to completing the task entrusted to him. And what is this task? What matters most to God?
It is the task of “testifying to the gospel of God’s grace”—Jesus Christ—to those who do not yet know Him. Nothing in this world can give people the true answer their souls are desperately longing for.
Scripture makes clear the condition of all humanity apart from Christ: enslaved under the curses of Satan, disaster, and hell; living as children of the devil (John 8:44); worshiping idols (Exodus 20:4–5); burdened by emotional distress (Matthew 11:28) and physical suffering (Acts 8:4–8); facing eternal condemnation (Luke 16:19–31); and passing generational curses to their descendants (Matthew 27:25).
This is the human condition, and only the power of the gospel can rescue them from the devil’s grip (Acts 10:38). But God has revealed to us the mystery of this gospel—Jesus as the Christ—and has called us to be ambassadors of Christ, carrying the message of reconciliation into a dying world (2 Corinthians 5:19–20). This is the mission of our lives.
Our calling is not only to evangelize—it is also to nurture those whom God has saved. New believers are precious souls raised from spiritual death, newborn babies in God’s family. So, we must treat them gently, like a mother caring for her little children (1 Thessalonians 2:7). We should remember them constantly in prayer and thank God for them (Romans 1:9). Our attitude toward them must be shaped by love and patience (Romans 15:1).
We must help them build a spiritual foundation firmly rooted in the Word (1 John 5:11–13). Like newborn babies, they must crave pure spiritual milk so they may grow (1 Peter 2:2–3). Our role is to help them receive the Word, retain it, and cultivate hearts that bear fruit (Luke 8:15). This alone enables them to stand against the enemy’s relentless attacks.
Thus, the task that matters most to God is a life movement—saving people from the power of Satan, sin, and hell. For this purpose, He sent His Son, and for this purpose, He gave us Scripture. And because many whom He has appointed for eternal life have not yet believed (Acts 13:48), His life movement continues today. He has called you and your church to participate in this movement. There is no higher calling and no greater privilege.
God already knows our weaknesses. But He tests the direction of our hearts. Do we carry “godly sorrow”—the sorrow that aligns with His heart—or worldly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10)? What breaks your heart? Does it match what breaks His?
He is calling you to follow Christ (Matthew 4:19), to enjoy Christ daily, to live for His kingdom, and to experience the power He promised (Acts 1:8). Lift up in prayer the unbelievers God has placed in your life. Strengthen your church by standing with other believers. Ask the Lord to send workers into His harvest field (Matthew 9:38).
When you set your heart on the things above (Colossians 3:2), God will bring everything you need for the sake of the gospel. Open your eyes to the urgency of evangelism and missions. Go all-in on God’s kingdom and His righteousness.
Prayer. Father, thank You for reminding me of what matters most. Help me seek Your greatest desires and go all-in on Your kingdom and Your righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.