Life is a complicated thing. Even when we are trying our best to follow God’s will, we never quite know the full path God is leading us on. God only shows us our path a few steps at a time. And in obedience we follow.
When Paul first put his faith in Jesus Christ, he was informed by God that he was “… a chosen instrument to carry the name of Jesus Christ before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” – Acts 9:15-16
This was God’s plan for Paul’s life. To take the name of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and their kings, and before the Jews.
So, in obedience, Paul poured his life into doing exactly this.
We have been pondering for the past few blog posts Paul’s letter to the early Christians living in Rome. At the end of his letter, it is fascinating to see the summation of Paul’s life and ministry, and his plans looking forward:
“From Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.
“But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain.” – Romans 15:19-24
God had instructed Paul to share Jesus Christ with the Gentiles. And this is what he did. This was the path he walked for God. And this was the path he intended to keep walking for God. He was planning to go all the way to Spain to keep right on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
In our own lives, God shows us the path we are to walk for him. And just like the Apostle Paul, we obey. We follow in obedience, giving everything we have to serve God!
But then life turns upside down!
We knew we were following the path God had for us. But now … now it feels as if our life is shattered in pieces. We aren’t sure if we are even on the right path anymore.
This right here is what happened to the Apostle Paul. He was doing exactly what God had instructed him to do … but then he wound up as a prisoner, stuck in a prison cell. How was he to obey God and accomplish God’s will for his life if he was trapped in a prison cell??
And so too this is how we feel when our life turns upside down! … when we feel as if our life is in pieces. How are we to obey God now?? How are we to accomplish God’s will for our life now??
But … this was God’s will for Paul’s life. This was the path God had for Paul … that he live in the city of Rome for several years (even though he was a political prisoner).
And likewise, God’s path for us might have twists and turns which we don’t expect. Our entire life’s trajectory might be altered. What do we do now?? Is this really God’s path for us??
Yes. Yes it is.
As a result of the altered trajectory of Paul’s life, many people heard the good news about Jesus Christ who never would have otherwise.
Because of the altered trajectory of Paul’s path, we have the books of the Bible: 2 Timothy, Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, Philippians.
These “Prison Epistles” in the Bible have been cornerstone teachings for the Church throughout the centuries! These books (Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians) are among my personal favorite books in the New Testament. They are so practical. My own faith has been greatly strengthened and encouraged because of these writings of Paul.
These writings never would have happened if Paul’s life had not had the unforeseen twists and turns that it did.
The same thing is true in our own life.
God instructs us to obey. So we do. We obey the best we can. We pour our heart into serving God with all the zeal we have.
But then our life’s path twists in a way we don’t expect. This too is God’s will. So we obey. We follow the twisting path.
Our life’s path turns around a bend and goes down through a dip which we weren’t expecting. This too is God’s will. So we obey. We follow the turn. We go down through the dip.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil … for you, God are with me!” Our good shepherd is right here with us! This is God’s will. This is God’s path for our life. And he is right here with us every step of the way!
He will guide us and protect us.
He will strengthen us and sustain us.
He will never leave us!
He will never forsake us!
