The story of Paul inspires me. He was a man who appeared to jump into situations that promised pain with so much enthusiasm. Even when he knew he would be bound in Jerusalem, he did not hesitate to go. He was willing to die for Jesus. I would say that time was something Paul invested so greatly in God, and if our life consists of moments in time, then Paul invested his entire life. If you’re wondering who to look up to as an example of a man who laid down his life wholeheartedly for Jesus, look no further because that person would be Paul.
Paul often preached from morning till night (Acts 28:23, Acts 20:7). He also preached daily without fail for years. He had a strong work ethic, motivated by the Spirit of God to work tirelessly. Acts 19:9 tells us how he held discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. For Paul, there was no thought of taking time off; he was fully committed to spreading the gospel.
I also think about the many disappointments he must have experienced. He and Barnabas were called out in Antioch to do the work that God had commanded, which was to preach the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. Together, they traveled to multiple cities—Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe—before returning to Antioch.
I imagine the close friendship they shared and the comfort and encouragement they must have brought to each other’s lives. The sharp disagreement over whether to take John Mark on their missionary journey must have taken an emotional toll, yet Paul pressed on. Friendless or not, Jesus was his goal.
Here was a man who experienced imprisonment and rescue from imprisonment, beatings, and being saved from beatings, so he knew any of these things could happen at any time. God could save or choose to allow him to endure suffering. This is why we hear him say in Philippians 4:11 that he had learned to be content in every circumstance. Paul knew what it meant to have his life in God’s hands, steered by God’s will. He understood that life could change at any moment, but with an unchanging God, he remained secure.
God did not leave Paul without encouragement. As a man who encouraged others greatly (Acts 14:22, Acts 20:1), God also encouraged Paul. God would often speak to him, telling him not to be afraid and to keep proclaiming the gospel (Acts 18:9-10, Acts 23:11). This proves that whatever a man sows, he will reap.
Paul’s ministry exemplifies the importance of holding onto the things of this earth with a loose grip. Our circumstances can change at any time; our friends, even our best friends and closest ministry partners, can leave us at any moment. We might even face jealousy from others when we have influence. Paul certainly did, as seen in Acts 13:44-45 when the Jews in Pisidian Antioch grew jealous after seeing nearly the whole city come to hear Paul and Barnabas preach the word of God.
We might become disillusioned, and our hearts might be tempted to give up, but if Paul could do it with the same Holy Spirit and grace of God, then so can we. When Paul said in Philippians 4:13 that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him, he meant it because his life was a living testimony of that strength only Christ can give. That strength is available to us today, and I pray that we have the courage to ask for it and wait to receive it, for with it, we will be unstoppable as ministers of Christ.