Verses on Purpose: Acts 20:24
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
“Verses on purpose” help explain your unique, God-given mission. Acts 20:24 is a “fill in the blank” verse; that is, you replace part of the verse with something about you.
Look at the words after the hyphen in Acts 20:24. Paul’s task was “testifying.” That word reflects his spiritual gift of evangelism. We know that Paul’s audience was the Gentiles. And the outcome he desired for them was hearing the “gospel of God’s grace.” The words after the hyphen summarize Paul’s life mission.
Now let’s “fill in the blank” for Luke. His task was investigating and writing two New Testament books – the Gospel of Luke and Acts. Like Paul, Luke’s audience was the Gentiles. And the outcome he hoped for was “an orderly account” of Jesus’ life and its aftermath (see Luke 1:1).
My mission is “teaching believers about God’s calling.” How do I know? Because my spiritual gift is teaching; that’s my task. The audience for my teaching tends to be believers. Finally, the outcome I want is for believers to know their calling.
How would you “fill in the blank?” Whatever you write is your life mission. Start with your task. What is your primary spiritual gift? Then move on to your audience? Who tends to be the recipient of your gift? Finally, address the outcome. What do you long to see happen in their lives? Now write your mission – Spiritual Gift + Audience + Outcome.
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
