Random Thoughts

So, I'm studying Ephesians right now and a few days ago was looking at Paul's life and why he left Ephesus. I noticed something that really threw me for a bit. In Acts 21 Paul says that "I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me." I've always felt like if the Holy Spirit is warning us of something, we should probably not do that but this verse challenges that thought. I struggled with it for a while wondering why the Holy Spirit would warn Paul about something that the Holy Spirit had compelled Paul to do. Why would Paul go forward with something that the Holy Spirit is warning him of? Paul goes on to say "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me" WOW! So often we feel like we're doing something good by following God when the future is unknown. We're unsettled by the unknown, but can say that we trust in God that his plan for us is for our good, even if it's difficult for us to see how. But what if, like Paul, we know for a fact, because the Holy Spirit is telling us, that if we follow God's will for our lives, it will definently lead to serious hardships. Is it so easy to follow God then? Can we at that point trust that His will for us is still good? Can we say that our life is worth nothing compared to completing the task God has given us? I'm not naive, I know that the path God is leading us down is not going to be easy. I know that we will face struggles, prejudices. But, if God were to reveal to me what those struggles would be, would I still be so quick to follow? Think it over.



-amory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvRwo2oAmec