Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 16:7 (New English Translation)

For I (Paul) do not want to see you now in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.

Notice Paul’s concluding phrase – if the Lord allows.

Surely God would allow a missionary to visit a church in a foreign land. Surely, that is part of God’s plan. Surely?

I don’t know; Paul didn’t know, and none of us knows. We are man, and God is God. He has His own plans, and I don’t pretend to understand them. At least on one of those days when I realize my place in His creation. It is unfortunate that I have a lot of days when I overestimate my place in His creation. God, help me to reduce those bad days.