Reminiscing

"And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." -Paul, Acts 20:22-24

Wow. I'm praying for that same Christ-centered focus. As I think about it, if Jesus, my Savior, lived a simple life on Earth: poor, often hungry and homeless, hated by so many people because of His message, loved by a few, beaten, and killed on a cross (wikipedia crucifixion- it's absolutely gruesome)... then why do I even play with the idea that my life will be safe, comfortable, and risk-free? It's so hard not to waste my time chasing after 'my own life'- keeping it all in perspective. I fall on my face in this so many times into materialism, anxiety about the future, wanting my own desires my own way instead of asking God what He has for me. But God is my strength and focus! That is so much easier to type than to live. But every time I read the Bible, there is strength, focus, guidance and everything else I need to live it out! It's amazing.