Who Inspires You

"But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God...." Acts 20:24

Before I could begin to write about "who" inspires me, I had to spend a little time mulling over "what" inspires me....and by "what" I mean character qualities. You know, those aspects of those you admire that make them stand out to you & cause you to desire to pattern yourself after them in most every way.....some of the character qualities that inspire me are endurance, resilience, steadfastness, joy, perseverance, authenticity, honesty, Holy-Spirit inspired boldness and warmth.....just to name a few.

I've known many folks who have colored my life with these qualities....most of which, I have been blessed to have as close family, and the one other individual, besides my Jesus, who has bolstered my faith and helped set the course for my walk and relationship with God, is the subject of the above Scripture reference taken from the book of Acts....yes, the Apostle himself....Paul.

As I have had opportunity to study Paul's life, I marvel and rejoice over the fact that God could take someone so hopelessly lost, turn his life upside down, re-direct his passions and efforts and use him to the degree that Paul was used in spreading the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He makes the saying true...."If God can use him; He can use anybody!" and that is precisely why his life inspires me so much....Paul himself knew that Jesus hand-picked him to prove that He can redeem anyone. He (Paul) knew it, and he never forgot it all of the days of his life! He instead used that knowledge to face every obstacle and circumstance of his life with single-mindedness of purpose....the purpose of knowing nothing else and doing nothing else but living his life to serve Jesus Christ!

Amazingly in the latter part of verse 22 & in all of verse 23 of the 20th Chapter of the book of Acts, we hear Paul say that he knows the road ahead is going to be rocky, at best, for him..."I don't know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead...." Yet right after saying that, he follows up with our Scripture reference and declares that his life matters not to him, except that he finish the work which The Lord had assigned him....no matter the cost.....no matter the difficulties....no matter the pain!

Oh Girlfriends! How I pray for all of us today that we grow into solidness of purpose and understanding as Paul did that this life simply is not about us....we live to be second, we live to magnify Another, we live to prove, even and often through trials and suffering, that The One we serve is real and that He is the only way to God the Father!

 I'm not certain about you, but the beat of my heart just quickened a few paces....as it always does, when I meditate and ponder on the focus and zeal Paul had....it wasn't just talk....he lived it and in the end, gave his life for it! We may not ever know martyrdom for our faith in Christ, but don't you want to get to the end of your life and be able to say like Paul... "As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give me on the day of his return....." 2 Timothy 4:6-8a

I know I want with everything in me to be able to say it....and as long as I have Paul's example in front of me to inspire me; and my sisters beside me to encourage me....I believe I just may get there....and I believe that you will too!

For more inspiration hop on over to   http://holleygerth.com/ and check out the links of my Sista-Girls there! Also, join me Monday morning March 3rd at 10 AM EST on Life On The Grow Blog Talk Radio when we'll be discussing "Living A Life That Inspires!"