“I’m off to Spain, with a stopover in Rome.” Romans 15:24

Paul never got where he wanted to go. Have you ever thought about that? He didn’t reach Spain. That was his goal. That was his destination. What he perceived as a “stopover” was actually his divine destination. Instead of traveling to Spain he landed in a prison cell in Rome.

I think there is a profound lesson buried in this simple text. Where you’re at geographically or occupationally or relationally isn’t the issue! Who are you becoming? That is the issue. We tend to be more concerned with where we’re going than who we’re becoming. God is far more concerned with who we’re becoming than where we’re going. Spain isn’t the goal. For that matter, neither is Rome. The issue is who you’re becoming right here right now! All I know is this: I’d rather be the right person in the wrong place than the wrong person in the right place.

I have a simple definition of success: do the best you can with what you have where you are. If you are faithful right here and right now, then one day you might get to Spain. You might not. But you will be the kind of person God can use anywhere anytime!