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-the task of testifying to the gospel of Gods grace. Acts 20:24

A few weeks ago we were driving from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a five hour ride stretching us through the beautiful countryside of the mountainous Northwest. Although the scenery was gorgeous, keeping the kids entertained was another story. For them, the never-ending stretch of road in front of us was grueling as the anticipation of arriving to the destination mounted. My job was to continuously remind them of the destination and the purpose of the trip. As we drove along, I realized we had no idea what we may encounter on the journey, but one thing was certain, we knew where we were going and why we were going there. For the kids, persevering through the ride was somewhat difficult, but once we reached Jackson Hole the kids had a blast! Unlike the trip to Jackson Hole, the journey of life rarely affords us the foreknowledge of our destination. I sometimes wonder what I would do if I knew what really did await me. Would I run and embrace it or try to run in the opposite direction? If someone were to have told me all that I would be doing today, I probably would have run the other way! There is no doubt that the uncertainty of the future can be overwhelmingly scary at times. But even Paul faced the same uncertainties. He was not a man who knew every detail of his future. Neither did he have the next 20 years of his life mapped out. Instead, he was a man who understood the significance of living in the moment. Though he did not know the path the Lord would lead him down, he realized that wherever that path led, he had but one task and one responsibility to live out. In Acts 20:24 Paul writes, ... 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-the task of testifying to the gospel of Gods grace. At this very moment you may be struggling with what the future holds. Should I take this job? Should I attend this school? Will I ever get married? My prayer for you today is that instead of focusing on the what ifs and shoulds of the journey, try focusing on the moment instead. Focus on what you have been given. Focus on where you are. And embrace the privilege you have to testify to the gospel of Gods grace even now. As you do, may the Lord make your paths straight and reveal the purpose of the destination He has laid out specifically for you!

Prayer

We are so often caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey, especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way. Appreciation is a wonderful feeling, don't overlook it.

• Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:
• Monday: Jeremiah 29:11-14
• Tuesday: 1 Chronicles 23
• Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 13:11
• Thursday: John 14:6
• Friday: Habakkuk 2
• Saturday: 1 Timothy 4:10
• Sunday: John 8:31-36