Day 214
2 Chronicles 32:1‐33:13; Romans 15:23‐1:7; Psalm 25:16‐22, Proverb 20:16‐18
On My Way
“Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.” – Romans 15:25
Paul was dreaming of going to Spain with a visit to the believers in Rome. But first he had an obligation to go to Jerusalem to bring offerings he had collected from churches in Asia Minor. The congregation in Jerusalem was suffering badly, much of it initiated by Paul when he was Saul of Tarsus and a persecutor of the followers of Messiah Jesus. So, he felt a special responsibility for them.
Little did Paul know that God’s plan for his life would include persecution in Jerusalem that would send him to Rome for the rest of his life. He would never realize his dream of Spain. Yet, his time in Rome was essential for the spreading of the Gospel.
Like Paul, many of us have a dream of something we want to accomplish for the work of the Gospel. What is your dream? Growing a church congregation or your small group? Bringing children and families into the church? Going on a foreign mission trip to a third-world country? Perhaps it is seeing that the children God has entrusted to you become believers in Jesus Christ, or maybe that your spouse becomes a believer?
Most of us are more focused when we have a goal in mind that helps keep us motivated for the work of the Lord. It is good to dream – even big dreams. At the same time it is better to believe we are on our way to the goal the Lord has laid out for us because he has the greater picture in mind and our part in it.
Richard Bordin