Life in the Holy Spirit An Empowerment Bible Study using the readings from Catholic Daily Mass for the Season of Easter (any year) © 2003 by Terry A. Modica

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Finishing the work despite hardships

If we could foresee the hardships that lay ahead on our paths of service, we'd find good excuses to stay put, wouldn't we? -- sticking with what already works well. "Lord, don't ask me to deliberately put myself into difficult situations and trials!"

As we see in Acts 20:17-27, St. Paul knew that going to Jerusalem would mean "chains and hardships", so why did he go? Couldn't he be just as useful to the Lord if he stayed where he was accepted?

Back in 1996, as I was praising God for the Catholic Evangelization School we were holding in my parish, I felt God asking me, "Are you willing to suffer to become a better minister for My kingdom?" I wrestled with Him over that until He reminded me: "I'm safe. Trust Me."

St. Paul trusted God. Yet, he knew he was not safe from those who would imprison him and eventually kill him for preaching the truth. What makes a person willing to say yes to God's calling when it's a certainty that it won't always be easy and fun, when being safe in God does not mean being safe from persecution and hardships?

Paul answered that: "I put no value on my life. I only value finishing the service that the Lord Jesus has assigned to me." Jesus also answered it in John 17:1-11: "I have given You glory, Father, by accomplishing the work you gave Me to do."

Which matters more, your life (your comfort, your security, your selfish will) or finishing the work that God has given you to do? We all have our assignments. You're in the middle of a very important one right now. Recognize the worth of what you're doing: how it glorifies God, how it makes a difference for His kingdom, how it increases your holiness and your compassion and your ability to help others.

My sufferings, as terrible as they sometimes become, have greatly enhanced the ministry I do now. They account for many of the insights that I share in these daily Good News Reflections.

Don't focus on the hardships; keep your eyes on the goal -- the finish line -- and on the Lord for whom you are doing this. If we quit, we forfeit our souls to the world, where we are not safe at all. Only in God are we truly safe. He heals our wounds, kisses our nail marks and raises us above the trials into His lap, where we are always loved.

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See also Holy Living: A Bible Study covering the Sermon on the Mount.

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