I am ready.

Acts 21:10-14, While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Paul had his focus on the will of the Lord, not the will of those around him. How much easier it would have been to take note of what they were saying and disregard that “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit that he followed. There’s this prevailing idea that all of our problems should be ended by coming to Christ. The only problem with that idea is the Bible, for we see that there are other like Paul, who are willing to lay down their lives for the gospel. Are we as willing to be led by the Spirit even in the face of hardship?

We thank You for all Your blessings; give us discernment like Paul had to hear Your voice and follow You, O Lord.

ESV Lectionary