"For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Cor. 9:16 NJKV).

Do you like to be around people who constantly moan, "Woe is me!"? Frankly, I find them hard to take. I do not like to be around negative people who go around whining, "Woe is me!" But here is an instance where those three words are actually healthy!

The apostle Paul was a driven man. What drives you? The thing that drove Paul day after day was the knowledge that many people had not yet heard the gospel - the good news that the whole world still needs to hear. He knew what that message was, he was not ashamed of that message, and he was eager to preach that message. So strongly did he feel about this that he pronounced a woe upon his head should he get so occupied with things that he might forget the main thing. Every Christian and every congregation of Christians should have that same attitude: "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"

Prayer: Gracious God, we praise You today for the good news contained in the story of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Grant us opportunities to share that story that many so desperately need to hear. Through Christ we pray.