Joy Challenge Video Devotional - Day 23: Pastor Ryan Shook
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“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 (NKJV)
If you’ve ever run a marathon, you know how sweet the finish line feels! A sense of personal joy fills your soul having accomplished something you began as a goal and trained so hard to achieve. Whether it was a marathon, or some other milestone in your life, there is joy at the finish line. As the apostle Paul neared his own finish line, he gave a stirring farewell to the leaders of the church of Ephesus where he had spent three years of his ministry. He sent word for them to meet him on the shores of Miletus, which is the port of Ephesus where he would board a ship on his way to Jerusalem. He knew he would never see these leaders he had personally discipled again. Can you imagine the emotion of this final gathering? Paul wanted to give them a final charge to encourage, equip, and warn them so they would be prepared and successful in their ministry. Many would plead with him to reconsider his trip to Jerusalem knowing that severe trials lay ahead for him. Look at Paul’s response, “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 (NKJV) Paul saw himself as a runner who wanted to finish his race with joy! He realized that his life was God’s gift to him and that God had a special purpose for his life that would be fulfilled in his ministry which he had received from the Lord Jesus many years ago. He had faithfully given himself to that ministry with a determined desire to finish his race with joy!
How do we finish our race with joy? The writer of Hebrews tells us how. Because joy is a focus and not a feeling, we must keep “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) Jesus showed Paul how to finish with joy and He shows us as well. It was because of the joy awaiting Him that He could endure such unimaginable pain on the cross and disregard its shame. He knew He would come out of the tomb alive! He knew He would be exalted to heaven in glory! In John 6:38, He began His ministry saying, “I have come down from heaven not to do my own will, but to do the work of My Father.” Then in John 19:30, He said, “It is finished!” This was the joy set before Him, that He would complete the Father’s will providing redemption and atonement for the sins of the world! He had a purpose in life worth dying for! Do you? You’re never really prepared to live until you’re prepared to die. When you’ve given your life away to Jesus as Paul had you can say with confidence, “I do not count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy.”
Finishing with joy comes from the convictions of your life and is expressed by the contribution of your life. When you truly believe that life is short, eternity is long, and heaven and hell are real you have a mission to share the grace of God with everyone. Like Paul, you believe that Jesus can change lives and change the world! So you risk it all with nothing to lose and everything to gain! Such was the case for American missionary Jim Elliott whose life and death influenced people to spread the Gospel. God used him to bring salvation to the Auca Indians in Ecuador where he gave his life. Was it worth it? He once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
What about you? For what or whom are you giving your life? Will you finish with joy? Live in such a way that you hear your Heavenly Father say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! … Enter into the joy of your Lord!” Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)
Printed copies of The Joy Challenge devotional are available at The Joy Challenge - Kerry Shook Ministries.