Paul's testimony.

"And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall 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 accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that all you among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom will see my face no more." (Acts 20:22-25)

This was Paul's last words to the elders of the church in Ephesus, which he helped build and evangelize for so many years- sort of like his last will and testament. As I read this today.. Actually, whenever I read a passage like this where a Biblical character is testifying his life for God, out of habit, I will automatically try to relate it to my life and try to fit this passage into an area of my life where I feel like I am doing just what he said, and then I find myself nodding along as if I've been through what Paul's been through. Haha! How foolish am I! To think that "..I do not account my life of any value nor as previous to myself.." This is not what I do, but what I should do.. So I read it over once more and realized how far I am from being able to concur and testify to half of what Paul says. It is so easy to say that tests and tribulations will afflict me but that God will always rescue me.. But when it actually comes down to really testing my faith, I curl up in a ball and complain to God, "Why are you doing this to meeee?" Paul's life and his accomplishments are such an inspiration to me, and I hope and I pray that some day I will be able to show others of what I have done with my life for Christ.