Rom
1:13 (NIV) I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times
to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that
I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
NOTE: Paul had
planned to come to Rome many times.
Obviously, it was a desire on his heart. But, for whatever reason, God
or circumstances (which God allowed) had prevented his fulfilling this desire. So, the first point is this: having a desire
to do something does not mean that it is God's will for your life. I have heard people argue the opposite point
many times. They are convinced that God
has placed a certain desire in their heart and they make foolish decisions to
fulfill that desire. Paul had a desire
to go to Rome. It appears he tried, but
he also did not become obsessed with the idea or desire. He submitted to God's "no." He let God use him where he was. At certain times, he appears to try again to
fulfill the desire, but every time, he submitted to God. He did not do foolish things and blame God
for the desire on his heart. Now, he is
about ready to start the journey to Rome.
And while he is only a month or two, journey-wise, away from Rome, it
will take a number of years to arrive in Rome.
He will spend two years in a jail in Caesarea awaiting a trial. He does not let his desire for a certain
ministry overwhelm him, but patiently waits for God to bring it about in his
time. This is a good lesson for me. I may have a desire to do something, and it
is okay to take steps toward that goal, but if / when God says "no,"
I need to continue in what he has given me to do now.
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