Called to something bigger than myself
Romans 15:22-33
22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.
23 But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. 24 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.
25 But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. 29 And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.
30 Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. 31 Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. 32 Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.
33 And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.
In reading Romans I so appreciate the way it captures Paul’s heart; his passion for God, for the Jews, and for the Gentiles flows through the text. I find his passion so infectious. Almost 2000 years ago he called on the Roman church to join him in his struggle by praying for him, such that the Jews in Jerusalem would receive the financial gift from the Gentile churches Paul had established. Paul’s heart cry was that the Jewish Christians would welcome the Gentiles into the church, and accept that God’s mercy was for the whole world.
As I read Paul urging the people to join with him in prayer my faith is stirred. Paul no longer needs our help, but in our church, in the local area, in this nation, around the world, believers are contending for the gospel.
Lord, I want to join their struggle, I want to be a part of seeing your will done and your kingdom come. Help me to see the people around me who I can join with, thank you that you call me to something so much bigger than myself. Amen.
Written by Beth Waugh