What a Map!

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 (NLT)

When I get ready for a trip, I want to know the most direct and fastest way to get to my destination, so I check the map. It is so much easier to do it on the computer rather than fighting with all the creases in a paper map. Paul knew that he wanted to go from Jerusalem to Rome but he certainly took a circuitous route…much of it unplanned. After being unjustly accused in Jerusalem by the Jewish religious leaders, he was taken for trial to Felix, the governor of Caesarea, the provincial capital for Judea. Yet, Felix almost toys with Paul as he questions him, bringing him back for an audience several times. Fear grips Felix as he listens to Paul and his coping strategy is procrastination. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. Acts 24:27 (NIV) Two years! 730 days! Paul, a Roman citizen, was unjustly imprisoned all that time even though Felix knew the facts of the case. Why was this a good thing? One reason is that with Paul in protective custody, he is kept from the hands of Jews intent on his death. Second, he is given many opportunities to declare the gospel to Felix and his wife, Drusilla. And finally, while several Jewish leaders do hear his case, no one will render a verdict and he is sent to Rome for trial – implementing the divine plan of witnessing in Rome. So what difference does this make to me? During those seasons when life does not make sense and you want to hurry up the process, be assured that God is working out the details. Our finite perspective cannot begin to compare with the infinite knowledge and plans of the Savior. Paul would have missed many opportunities along the way if he had been following his map from mapquest. Two years! Take hope when the journey seems long with unplanned stops. We may not know what is going on in the unseen world, but God does. Be confident!