That’s why I’ve been stopped so many times from coming to see you. But now, since I don’t have any place to work in these regions anymore, and since I’ve wanted to come to see you for many years, I’ll visit you when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while I’m passing through. And I hope you will send me on my way there, after I have first been reenergized by some time in your company. But now I’m going to Jerusalem, to serve God’s people. Macedonia and Achaia have been happy to make a contribution for the poor among God’s people in Jerusalem. They were happy to do this, and they are actually in debt to God’s people in Jerusalem. If the Gentiles got a share of the Jewish people’s spiritual resources, they ought to minister to them with material resources. So then after I have finished this job and have safely delivered the final amount of the Gentiles’ offering to them, I will leave for Spain, visiting you on the way. And I know that when I come to you I will come with the fullest blessing of Christ. Brothers and sisters, I urge you, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggles in your prayers to God for me. Pray that I will be rescued from the people in Judea who don’t believe. Also, pray that my service for Jerusalem will be acceptable to God’s people there so that I can come to you with joy by God’s will and be reenergized with your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:22-33, CEB)
Paul has wanted to go to Rome but never made it as of the writing of this letter. Romans is a letter Paul wrote to a community he did not help start nor have an on going relationship with.
To me that is kind of like a national gathering in the church where you meet someone you you are social media friends with. Paul knew about the church and was introducing himself and wanted to meet them IRL. I meet a lot of people I am Facebook friends with at Youth Gatherings or other gatherings of the church. We have a connection but have never actually shared a cup of coffee.
Who would you like to visit but haven’t been able to?
Who could you sit at a table over a cup of coffee and talk about life and faith?
Who would you build up and help be a beacon for love in the world?
May you be at peace and know God is always with you.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 