For some reason, this picture reminds me of the very first prayer I learned (I must have been about 5 or 6 years old). "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, and if I die before I wake, I pray the LORD my soul to take". Reliance, reliance on God is in the forefront of my thoughts this day! Not what I am do, but rather what God will show me what to do. God's will, God's way, God's results, Larry Deason used to say- and he was right then and is right still!!!
Just words, you say- not hardly- consider Paul, on his journey to Rome, knowing very unpleasant things were going to happen, but willingly going anyway. Joyfully going because he knew it was God's will. Again, God's will, God's way, God's result!!!
Read it for yourself...
Acts, Chapter 20 (WEB)
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly. 18 When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews; 20 how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. 22 Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there; 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. 24 But these things don’t count; nor do I hold 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 fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God. (emp. added GDR)
25 “Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. 32 Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver, or gold, or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me. 35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Paul was loved; by God and by his fellow Christians!!! Loved because he epitomized both the attitude of the picture and that prayer I prayed so long ago. Paul was dedicated to God, he depended upon God, he loved God and gave his life for HIM!!!
May God give every single Christian a Pauline attitude- and let it begin with PRAYER!!! Why wait? Stop what you are doing and earnestly seek God's direction. You may never become a "Paul", but God can do a great deal with a heart willing to be guided.