The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon

“And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.”

—Acts 20:22–24

Paul knew he was walking into more difficulty by going to Jerusalem, but he also knew it was worth it. He didn’t consider even his life to be more important than doing the work the Lord had given him.

Do we take God’s call so seriously? We often walk into difficulty without knowing it’s coming, but what if we knew that chains and affliction awaited? Would we walk forward willingly for the sake of the Gospel and the kingdom of God?

Do we consider our lives, possessions, and reputations as dear to us, or do we persevere in the Lord’s work, valuing it over and above even those?

This attitude doesn’t mean we can’t mourn difficulty and loss; we may serve the Lord “with tears” as Paul says in verse 19. But if we can’t give all for the sake of service to God or in keeping with obedience to him, then those things we will not let go of hold too much of our devotion.

If we understand the Gospel, we will “count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8), and we will be willing to lose all to gain eternity with him (Matthew 3:44–45).

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