‘And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me,’

Acts of the Apostles 20:22 NLT.

I hate suspense. It is rooted in a fear I still do not understand but I would rather know what is ahead than be told there is something ahead that I do not know. I have robbed my dear wife of her love for planning surprises in recent times because of my discomfort with the sense of suspense attached to it.

This reminds me of Bayo Osinuga, the Pastor of our London church who was busy calling everyone he knew on phone to find out if they were traveling down to London a day before his celebration. He wanted to unravel all mysteries around the surprise party he suspected was being planned for him. He spoke to a spiritual daughter on video, confirming she was in Canada, only to find her in his home the following day. She had pulled off the surprise by heading for the airport shortly after their conversation the previous day. Despite all his efforts, family and friends made his day with their pleasant surprises but what a difficulty he faced trying to find out what was in store before the day.

Paul was ‘bound in spirit’ (an expression for having a sense of divine compulsion) to go to Jerusalem not knowing what was ahead of him. Welcome to familiar ground, brother Paul. How I’d always wished I knew what the future held. From childhood, I’d always wished I knew what the future held and was always curious about what life held in store for me.

Paul’s attitude, however, differed from mine and that is what my article of today is all about, throwing out a challenge to you and I. It is normal not to know the future from today. The path of the just is like the shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18). We do not know it all nor see it all from the start. Your life is a journey of faith that requires you to trust God with the details. Ours is to acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

‘Except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.’

Acts of the Apostles 20:23 NLT.

Like us, Paul had an idea of what was ahead but lacked clarity. There were difficulties ahead of him but he was not certain about the details. Most of us are worried that we do not know the details of good times ahead but here was a man who knew there were tribulations and persecutions and yet was facing the future with optimism. It is a huge challenge of faith when the social and economic forecasts are looking gloomy and yet we are supposed to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4).

‘But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.’

Acts 20:24 NKJV.

Paul remained unmoved in the face of an uncertain future. He was unmoved by what he knew and also unmoved by what he did not know. The uncertainties couldn’t threaten him because of his trust in God. The certainties of tribulations also did not move him because of his consecration to the One who called him. His secret was in his focus on the finishing line. Realising that time is an interruption in eternity and a preparation for timelessness, what mattered was his ability to finish his race and to finish it with joy.

Many people get into competitions of long distance races without an interest to finish. However, Paul knew every man had a personal race to run in God’s plan for their lives and he was determined to finish the race. Paul’s focus was to complete the assignment God gave him to do in this world. Only the finishing line guarantees joy. We must breast the tape and hear the cheer of heavens grandstands ( Hebrews 12:2).

As we live out our Christian lives, we must like Paul learn to stop valuing the temporal and ephemeral to the point of not valuing our very lives anymore outside of the assignment He sent us to do for Him on earth. The preaching of the gospel of the grace of God was all that mattered to him. That purpose driven life of his made the things of this world lose their allure and appeal. Only heaven’s applause and reward mattered to Paul. It simplified his life, gave him sharp focus on eternity and maintained his joy regardless of life’s circumstances. What a way to triumphant living! Such a life is lived in the spirit of victory in the present and certainly full of guaranteed victory in the afterlife.

Such a life can truly sing the third verse of the popular hymnal – Through the Love of God Our Saviour:

We expect a bright tomorrow,

All will be well;

Faith can sing through days of sorrow,‘

All, all is well.’

On our Father’s love relying,

Jesus every need supplying,then

In living or in dying

All must be well.

Victor Adeyemi