I Will Not Be Moved

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count 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 testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:22–24 (NKJV)

We see an echo in this passage with what Jesus experienced in the garden of Gethsemane. The path forward would not be easy, but when Paul said, “But none of these things move me,” we recall Jesus saying, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”

It is not an exaggeration to say that our world is in turmoil. Much of the church world is no exception. The future is uncertain for many people, and we may not know the details of the future, but we know who holds the future.

Earthquakes and storms provide a fitting analogy for the time in which we live. Things are being shaken all around us. The writer of Hebrews reminds us:

When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” Hebrews 12:26 (NLT)

We may be inclined to look at storms and earthquakes as instruments of the enemy, but clearly, God is the one who does the shaking. Paul focused on the goal, not the tempests and earthquakes before him. He desired to finish his race joyfully, completing the ministry he had received from his Lord.

A Sure Foundation

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders highlights that what goes on beneath the surface is essential when building a life that will last and withstand the pressures of this world. Conditions rarely stay the same. Sometimes, abundance will precede famine or the other way around. Joseph prepared Egypt and the world during the years of abundance because the years of famine were ahead.

The time to put the storm shutters on the windows is before the storm arrives. The time to build your house on the sure foundation is before the storm or the earthquake approaches.

In addition to the analogy of digging down deep and building our lives on the Solid Rock, the Scriptures also give us a picture of roots that go down deep near water sources. The Psalmist begins:

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1–3 (NKJV)

It is counterproductive to pull up roots and move continually. Continual transplanting is not conducive to a flourishing spiritual life. I would never say it is inappropriate to move from one church to another, but if someone moves because the spirit of restlessness prevails, their maturity will suffer.

Discipleship

It is an understatement to say that discipleship can be problematic in the modern American church. It is impossible when there is not a willingness to submit to spiritual authority. Pastors today are afraid to exercise spiritual authority because they fear losing people if too much is asked of them.

In our text, Paul is likely facing imprisonment or death upon returning to Jerusalem, but he says, “None of these things move me.” They will not deter him from the mission laid before him. In our churches today, people move at the slightest provocation or inconvenience. Preaching the truth has always been dangerous, but we cannot be afraid to preach the truth of the gospel, even if it is culturally unpopular and at the cost of losing people.

If you lose people because they are offended by the truth, consider yourselves in good company. In John 6, Jesus began to teach some hard truths about what was required to have His life in us. As a result, many of the people following him forsook him.

Soft-pedaling the truth of the gospel message might attract a few more followers temporarily, but ultimately, God will call us to account for spiritual malpractice. Isaiah summarizes: Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7 (NLT)

Work the Field

Taking a cue from the popular book, “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten,”  we could say that everything that one needs to have roots deeply planted, receiving nourishment from the river of life, can be found in Psalm 1:1-3. Namely, don’t take advice from the wicked, don’t spend most of your time hanging out with sinners, and don’t sit with mockers.

There are many of us seeking and believing in God for revival, and I think it will come, but in the meantime, we must, along with those whom God places our care, make every effort to be those whose roots go down deep into the water of life.

When God gives us an assignment like he did the apostle Paul, will anything move us from his purpose for our lives? He wrote to the Galatians that “he was experiencing labor pains until Christ was formed in them.” We could look at the Parable of the Sower with despair.

 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Matthew 13:5–6 (NLT)

Or we can work diligently to change the narrative. A farmer doesn’t give up simply because the condition is not optimal. Work the field. You can say your field is challenging, but till and amend the soil until it is viable. We must do everything we can to prepare ourselves, and those who hear us to stand firm in times of adversity. Deep roots, and a firm foundation will allow us to say, “I will not be moved.”

Steve Ekeroth

Photo by Ian Turnell: