Oct 23, 2019 3 min
But none of these things move me. These very famous words of the Apostle Paul contain a wealth of wisdom Christians should embrace. Paul had kept a rigorous itinerary that, at this point, landed him in Miletus. Eager to make Jerusalem by Pentecost, he called for the elders of the church at Ephesus. When they arrived, Paul delivered a farewell speech that highlighted his ministry and the opposition he consistently experienced. In the middle of the speech, Paul declared, “behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and affliction abide me” (Acts 20:22-23). And then he delivered these famous words: “But none of these things move me” (Acts 20:24a). Wait a minute! Did you hear that? By the leading of the Holy Spirit, Paul was certain that persecution awaited him in Jerusalem, and yet, he declared that he was not moved.
Lest you too casually consider Paul’s attitude, let’s review a scripture that reveals exactly what Paul confronted practically everywhere he went. In II Corinthians 11:23-27 (NIV), Paul makes the following claim: “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea. I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” Now that is quite a list of tribulations, many of which are very intense. And yet, Paul was not moved.
How is it possible to be unmoved in the midst of such affliction? Paul answers this question: “…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” (Acts 20:24b NIV). These trials directly assaulted Paul’s life; however, since he did not value his life, these trials did not move him. Did you see that? You have to be self-centered to be moved by trouble. It’s not that Paul’s life was not important; it’s just that it was not important to him. In essence, Paul’s life was God’s concern!
And Peter agrees: “Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7). The cares of Paul’s life belonged to God, so instead of being moved by things that concerned God, Paul focused on things that concerned him: obedience to God, despite the trouble, which, for him, meant preaching the gospel of grace. And to be spiritually mature, that is exactly what we must do (concern ourselves with obedience, not with cares)—that is, not moved by the trouble that we hear or comes our way.
God bless you as you continue to hear and heed His Voice!
