Two or three years of my life - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

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.

Christ has loved us and given himself for us.
Acts 20:24; Ephesians 5:2.

Two or three years of my life
In June 2012 an Italian footballer declared: "I would willingly give two or three years of my life for a place in the final of the European Cup." The passion for the game and perhaps the personal glory that he might get from it dominated his whole life.

Such an attitude is opposed to the Christian faith. Jesus warned us: "How can you believe who receive honour from one another, and do not seek the honour that comes from the only God?" (John 5:44). Our passions and hankering after glory, ephemeral as they are, motivate people, but they often make us forget God.

By contrast, when Jesus came to earth, He lived humbly. He did not receive honour from men (John 5:41). By yielding Himself to death out of love towards us, He did not wish to make a name for Himself, but deliver us from the judgment we deserved. We are, by nature, egoistic and pretentious. Jesus said that we need to be born again by believing in Him. This new life will then animate us, and we shall be able to consecrate our lives to His service for His glory, with the desire to honour Him by serving others. That changes everything. And life is worth living for Christ, for Him who loves us with everlasting love. The apostle Paul said, "For me to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21). He had a single aim and motive. His preoccupation was Jesus Christ, his example.

Today's reading: Micah 6:1-16 · Proverbs 29:10-19