21 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” Acts 19:21
Paul was always looking ahead and plotting his next move. While yearning (in the Spirit) to return to Jerusalem, he wanted to pass through Macedonia and Achaia first, then on to Rome. It is interesting to note that in his letter to the Romans, he said
Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs [the financial gift from the Macedonians and Achaians to the church in Jerusalem, Romans 15:26], I will go on by way of you [in passing] to Spain. Romans 15:28
So even then, his sights were set even beyond his objective, beyond Rome to Spain, then the “the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
If we live our Christian lives with no real purpose and plan, merely existing, stuck in neutral—because all of life is a struggle, an uphill climb—we’ll undoubtedly lose ground. However this might be done, and it is different for all, we must set our sights on something bigger than what we’ve accomplished thus far. Learning from Paul, we should always yearn for new territory, new vistas, so that something more can be done for the kingdom before we’re taken home. We must also adopt a healthy fear of being caught at death’s door having not finished well. The Apostle Paul speaks far more eloquently to this than I.
12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
Leave a Reply