Where Are You Going?

And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon. [Philippians 2.24]

...Says a man incarcerated in Rome!

What was Paul's outcome? Did he remain a prisoner in Rome?

The verse above would indicate to me, that, just like Paul knew he would face imprisonment in Jerusalem, and, that he knew he would stand before the Roman authorities in Rome, he also had confidence from the Lord that he would make a post imprisonment trip to Philippi.

But Paul also made a similar forward-looking statement to Philemon in his letter from prison to him:

One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon. [Philemon 22]

This just tells me that Paul, like Jesus his Lord, didn't live by happenstance. Paul seemed to have a grasp of where he was going. Life didn't just happen to Jesus - Jesus happened to life! And that is very clearly what we see in the life of Paul.

My take-away from this is that I too should not be content with life and circumstances just happening to me. I should not resign to saying, "Whatever happens, happens." Instead, I should know where I am going - know my course. I should know what my Lord has directed me to do and where He has directed me to go. And, I should go and do what He said! I should simply deny circumstances the right to control my life. Like Paul when he was in the ship destined for shipwreck and when he simply shook off a deadly viper bite, we too should live with purpose, undeterred by circumstances.

Although I have heard all my life that most agree Paul was finally executed, or died in prison, I am not so sure of that any more. This same man, who gave no place to circumstances of certain death, also declared, on two different occasions seen to date in the One Year Chronological Bible readings, that he had confidence from the Lord that he would make it to Philippi (as a free man).

Father, I realize that, in order for us to do what You have specifically directed us to do, we must first know what You have specifically directed us to do! Forgive me for being content in not having or knowing specific direction from You! Show me Your ways Oh Lord - Teach me Your paths - Lead me in Your Truth and teach me for You are the God of my salvation!

Note: see 1 Timothy 3.14, Titus 3.12, 2 Timothy 4.20