Paul’s best-laid plans. Romans 15.23-33

It seems that Paul has always been a man with a plan.  And as we draw to the close of his letter to the Romans, he makes his plans known.  His calling has been to preach the Gospel where it had not been taught and leave the rest to someone else.  He has a plan for the current space in time, and what comes next.  Paul also values the support of fellow believers, enlisting their prayer support to accomplish his mission. 

Hmmm . . . Paul’s mission was to take the Gospel where it had not previously taken hold.  This resonates with me.  Recently, I referenced my time on the pastoral staff of a non-denominational church, including being Director of Women’s Ministry.  When there was a senior pastor change, a philosophical change was in the air—and when things were sorted out—the new direction for women’s ministry was to ‘feed the women of the church … to grow them, and foster relationships within’.  Now, that is wonderful, but that was not/is not my God-given mission.  Personally, I believe that the women of the church, (actually most church-goers), are ‘fat’ enough with spiritual training; what they need is a push to use it, to give to others—to love, to mentor, and to draw others to the bosom of Christ.  Therefore, I knew it was time to go.

Stop for a second though—do you see how division can be perceived within a church?  There was nothing ignoble about the new vision of the women’s ministry, nor was there anything wrong with the passion God had birthed in me to reach outside of the fold … not wrong on either side, just different.  Nothing diabolic, no big ego showdown … just a different vision. 

So I can totally relate to Paul’s saying ‘he wanted to avoid building on another man’s foundation’…  See, I have a heart for those who are questioning where they are with God … ‘Do they believe?  Can they believe?  And what about the hurt they have experienced in the name of ‘the Church’? Is there a place to come and question?  Is it okay to show up feeling rather ‘messed up’?’  It is for those people that my heart pounds.  It is to those people I am sure I am called.

Paul writes:  “But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, [because he had already laid the foundations] and since I have been longing for many years to see you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.  Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.  For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.  They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.  So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.  I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.  Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen”   Romans 15.23-33

Paul reveals his plan for the short run is to travel to Jerusalem, carrying an offering from the other young Christian churches, to help their persecuted, struggling Christian brethren in Jerusalem.  Yep, it was his plan, though he knew the risks; he knew what was at stake—he could be arrested—everything could come to an end.  Yet, counting the cost, he went.

From there, he would travel to Spain, (by way of Rome, where he had longed to go for years).  Spain was a place of strong cultural influence at the time.

And then, in humility, Paul asks them to please pray to God for him.  He needed prayer as he was risking a lot for the cause of Christ.  He was risking himself to the plan he was certain God had called him … a beautiful thing.

But come what may, I pray the God of peace be with you all. Amen.’

I’m wondering…do we have plans for the present and plans for the future to serve the Lord?  And, what are we willing to risk for the cause of Christ?  Hmmm…something to think about.

Christine

PastorWoman.com