This Earthly Pilgrimage

We are studying through the book of Acts at Calvary Chapel Sydney and on a couple of occasions I have flipped to the back of my Thompson Chain Reference Bible to follow Paul's missionary journeys.  Though we are currently in the midst of Paul's first missionary journey, my eyes drifted to Paul's fourth and last journey, the one which ended at Rome.  In his travels there was often a circular, leaving and returning flow to them.  The final trip to Rome was a one-way trip:  it was there his earthly pilgrimage and service to the LORD would end.

When Paul set out on a journey or voyage, I don't know he was ever certain where God would take him.  Being arrested and incarcerated and transported has a way of changing plans!  When we plan mission trips today, typically we know beforehand if it will be a "short term" or more permanent move because of the transportation we have available to us.  The first time I came to Australia I had a return ticket so there was no real surprise where I would be weeks later.  Many people who have purchased tickets never had the opportunity to use them because their Rome - the end of the line - was arrived at unexpectedly to them.  It was not surprise, however, to the God who ensures you will make it to Rome safely.  The God who brought Paul without harm to Rome would bring him home, regardless of how ill men treated him.

Praise the LORD for the journey He has each one of us on, for He will bring us safely home.  He will not leave or forsake us along the way, though to us there be unexpected twists and turns in the plot lines of our story.  Some people travel internationally with frequency, and others stay close to home.  Some go on short term mission trips, and others immigrate permanently to be where God has called them.  I find the one-way journey of Paul to Rome most compelling, for on soil distant to his land of birth he breathed his last.  Only God knows when and where our lives will end, but may we be faithful like Paul wherever we are, labouring for the kingdom of God in service to our Saviour.  By God's grace our lives and testimony, like Paul's, will be fruitful and honour our LORD.  Looking back we will be able to say, "See how far God has brought me!  And He has been faithful every step of the way."