Sunday 14 August, 2016

21 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem. He went through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been to Jerusalem,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” 22 He sent Timothy and Erastus, two of his helpers, to Macedonia. But he stayed a little longer in Asia Minor.

This passage shows the very important principle of decision making.  Paul had made quite an impact in his ministry.  All too often we can be the victim of our own success – choosing to stay longer than is wise in one place.  Paul made a decision.  He had a strategic purpose – to get to Rome and so decided to set out again on that path to see God’s will fulfilled.  Paul’s sense of purpose drove him to see the fulfilment of God’s plan.

It is very easy to get distracted by things that take us off course, they may be success, or the urgent tasks that seem to always crop up.  What is our strategic purpose – what has God placed us on the planet for?  We dare not get distracted from this purpose!  We have all eternity to do so much that we could do here and now, but only time to do certain things so it is for us to resolve to focus on the things we can only do here on earth in time.  Staying true to the call of discipleship, being both a disciple and disciple-maker is crucial to this sense of purpose.

Father, help me to keep the main things the main things and so, like Paul, keep the purpose you placed me on the planet for in focus at all times.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta