Nearing the end of his journey, the apostle Paul found a deep sense of satisfaction in having served his Lord. Although he had labored with trials and tribulations, he was joyful because he knew he had stayed the course in his ministry. He had been true to te heavenly vision. This Paul shared his feelings when he wrote to his disciple, Timothy, saying:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7,8 NIV)
What an experience Paul had met with years before when he was known as Saul of Tarsus! He was then traveling on the road to Damascus to imprison the followers of Jesus. The Lord struck him down with a dazzling light. It was so briht and powerful that Saul fell to the ground blinded, helpless and bewildered. It was then that the Lord revealed to him the mistaken direction of his actions by saying, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9:5) Then the Lord used the disciple, Ananias, to inform the still-blinded Saul that he was God's chosen instrument to carry the gospel of Christ to "the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." (Acts 9:15 NIV) Saul repented, reversed his direction and heeded the command of the Lord by immediately preaching that Jesus is the Son of God.
The converted Saul became Paul, the Apostle. He became the incessant traveler who journeyed from town to town preaching the gospel of Christ, even in the marketplaces, homes, synagogues and public auditoriums. He took his message before all classes of people including the religious and political leaders. Countless times he experienced the joy of seeing the people repent and become converted in their acceptance of Jesus, the crucified Lord. He built up the churches in Corinth, Galatia, Thessalonica, Berea, Colosse and many other places where the Holy Spirit guided him. Over and over again he suffered lashes, insults and humiliation. In those days the issue of human rights was not a matter of public concern, and freedom of conscience was not a protected right of the individual. Frequently Paul was bruised by deadly stonings, and he ever walked in danger of thieves and possible death. Many other times he sufffered illness, food deprivation and extreme hardship. As a self-supporting layman he had to work at his tent-making craft in order to support himself in ministry. Paul suffered a chronic malady of his eyesight, and he required the help of his fellow apostle, Dr. Luke, to bear his illness better.
The entire experience of the Apostle Paul is such a profound example of courage under hardship that it should fill us with deep admiration. Moreover we in the literature ministry can derive home and comfort from his eaple. The literature evangelist also knows the meaning of hard labor. There are risks in meeting the public and struggles both physical and spiritual, but then there is the all-encompassing joy that makes it worth it all. Joy comes when one sees the lights of interest brighten within his clients' eyes, when they eagerly purchase that which will help them spiritually and when they request Bible studies. Joy is surpreme when one stands at the baptismal fount in witness of a contact's baptism. I have no doubt that the Apostle Paul experienced great joy when, at the end of his ministry, he exclaimed with a heart full of confidence in the Lord: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." {2 Timothy 4:7)