For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, 

I have finished the course, I have kept the faith 2 Timothy 4; 6-7

   preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles

The Apostle Paul only mission in life was to  preach Christ and Him  crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles, and he was determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. This came mission came from God,  and he was a chosen instrument to preached the gospel to the Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites. Every mission he encountered  there were many road blocks, and distractions.  Such as, beaten, stone thrown, and in prison, night day in the open sea, danger, both by the Jews and Gentiles, and danger from false teachers. His mission was to declare the gospel to the lost, As a stated Apostle stated, “ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to evangelize—not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect. In apostle Paul epistle to the Romans written in 57- 58 ad  he wrote he planned to visit them but was prevented from doing so. Nonetheless; eventually, he end up in Rome in chains.  

 For example, approximately 57 to 58 AD Paul was compel to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to him there. Except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me yet he still declares the gospel. Even thou he was warned by a prophet that his own feet and hands, will bind if went to Jerusalem he still went. To him, suffering was part of preaching the gospel. A mandate given by God that he will suffer for names sakes, as scripture declares, “I will show him how much he must suffer for My name!”  

 Between 58 and 63 AD, he was incarcerated by the Roman commander because Jewish people were planning kill him while in the temple and a riot  broke out. He gave short testimony concerning about experience on the Damascus Rd where he met Jesus Even thou Paul tried to destroyed the church, and zealous observing the laws and their Customs and was educated by Gamaliel himself. 

No formal charges were ever laid. The only able to accused him of speaking about hope and resurrection of the dead. Despite the  fact, he was innocent the  Jewish people stilled plotted to have killed. The Roman commander received this news, and provided protection  for Paul so able present his case before Flix the Governor of Judea. 

The following night Paul had a vision from the Lord and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.   

During the trial he spoke with Flix wife Drusilla who was Jewish, and Flix concerning about Jesus Christ Flix became afraid  ask for him to leave delaying the processing. 

Festus took over legal proceeding, and the king Agrippa took interest the legal proceeding, and wanted to hear Paul himself. Paul testifies about Damascus Road experience to Festus and king Agrippa. He was not disobedient to the heavenly vision from God to preached the gospel to the Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites. Even thou he was accused of being mad by Fesus exclaiming  Too much study is driving you mad! Then, Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?” Since there was no evident that started a riot Festus would set free if Paul did not appeal to Caesar.   

 Most people would have asked God is there a plan B in this scenario? Not Paul he gladly bore the scars marks for the sake of the gospel for this was his mission in life.   

   What is your mission in your life and what course did God lay on your heart? What is preventing you from fulfilling your mission from God Are you allowing distraction to prevent you carrying our mission? Are you listening other voices instead of God voice? Are you intimidated by others when explaining what God laid on your heart?   

My sister once told decide what your goal is from God and pursue it with all your heart. For example, God laid on my heart to pray for the lost unaware or not caring about Christ atoning work on the cross. Around the time of my mother death a that time I was the lowest point of my life. Only time felt like this is when I accept the Lord. I felt like two rung of despair, and Il’d have had to climb up  two rung on a ladder. It was my sister-in-law gave me the texts a devout Catholic. Found in John 10; 16; “But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. 

To me it start with prayer I am saddening that the lost they carry  a heavy burden of sin on their shoulders and unaware of their sinful nature, and they’re spiritual blind and deaf concerning Shepherd voice and His salvation plan. When present the gospel   to them either they walk away, or changed the subject. About the weather or sports unaware that demons are distracting by a demon. 

The hardest thing is continued to be faithful to your calling resulting from distractions. However press we must. As written in the  scriptures, “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” 

   When God call into ministry the journey has many twist  and turn along with trials and tribulations. John Newton wrote this about his calling, “ The Christian ministry is the worst of all trades, but the best of all professions.” The Apostle Paul wrote, “ the reason course, Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.”

The Apostle only finishing the race and being faithful to his calling Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary penned; Paul had been vigilant in his service to God. Note that Paul did not make these comments until the end of his race, until he was about to die. He did not presume or rely on his past service. Instead he persevered, struggled, and served God until the end. Believer Bible Commentary, “I have finished my course. Course refers to a race track. He had crossed the finish line. He didn’t quit. The Christian’s life is not a hundred-yard dash; it is a marathon and most often an obstacle course.” Remember Paul bore the marks of Jesus on his body and consider it.

If my mother, was alive today her advice to me would be stayed on  the course and be faithful. Three people had effect on my life late Uncle Clarence, late Dr S Lewis Johnson, and my mother who died three years ago. Uncle Clarence is on my left shoulder, Dr Lewis Johnson in my heart, and my mother right shoulder. All them would say the same stay on the course. One my favorite hymns written by John Newton is calling Amazing Grace in the third stances, Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;’Tis grace hath brought me safe; thus far, And grace will lead me home. From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks !

What is your calling in life From The Dead Poet Society “O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?” Answer. That you are here – that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be? 

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him (wave) . John 12:26

http://www.matthewmcgee.org/paultime.html