But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.  Acts 20:24

My first year in college I went to my mail box and found a tape of a message preached by Dr. Curtis Hutson.  It was entitled, “But none of these things move me.”  Every student was required to listen to it.   I only share this story because whenever I read this verse I can hear his voice in my head.

Let us consider an spect of God’s will.  When we think of God’s will we tend to think about going to certain places and doing specific things.  Have we given thought to dealing with certain things.  

God’s will is specific.  He does call certain people to do very specific task.  The apostle Paul reached the gentiles.  He started many churches.  He was used of God to write much of the New Testament.  But when Paul wrote this verse he said none of these things.  These things were the trials that he had to deal with along the way. Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and see all the perils that Paul had to deal with.  Those perils were part of God’s will for his life.

We do not enjoy the perils; we want the profits.  We do not enjoy the burdens; we want the blessings.  We are afraid of the endangerment; we want the experiences of victory.  Let us be encouraged through the Scriptures that the things that we have to deal with as we attempt God’s will is part of God’s will.  

Paul also said that he finished his course with joy.  Determine to do the same.  Do not let the things you have to deal with along the way detour you from the will of God.