(Rom 15:24) whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you . . .
Spain. Ancient and historical land of Western Europe. Land of kings, dictators, and modern democracy. Ferdinand and Isabella. Christopher Columbus. Don Quixote. The Inquisition. Catholic. Lovely and romantic land and language. Mediterranean Sea and landscape. “The rain in Spain . . . ” Glad I stayed awake in Spanish class. I’m on a mission trip with my family. We’re visiting missionaries and I am teaching the Word at a conference. Meeting beautiful members of the family of God who embrace you and sometimes kiss you on both cheeks.
Spain. A place to flee to when the going gets rough. (Jonah 1:3) But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Most scholars believe Tarshish is southern Spain.
Spain. A place to go to as a destination laid out by the Lord. (Rom 15:28) Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.
Hmmm. A place to flee to and a place to go to. I wonder if sometimes in life we are fleeing to somewhere or going to somewhere.
Are you running from something or somebody in your life? Albeit there are good things to run from, such as fornication (1 Cor 6:18) and idolatry (1 Cor 10:14) and youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22). But to run away from the presence of the Lord? We are to run to Him when we are in trouble! (Pro 18:10) The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Sometimes we even run away from the devil but isn’t he supposed to run away from us as we stand our ground? (James 4:7) . . . Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
How much better to have a place to go to. Like Paul on his journey. He had always wanted to go to Spain. That was always on his agenda. But then he got arrested for his faith in the Lord and thrown into prison. A few years later he was released and history states he did make it there. Paul’s prison epistles speak of his intentions to travel after he was released. And in 2 Timothy 4:7 it states he finished his race.
Tired of running? And tired of running your own life? Don’t flee to Spain. Go to Spain. Be like Paul and finish what the Lord has called you to do.
Oh well, time to go. Siesta is over. A brother from the church here invited us to come over for fish and prawns. You see . . . I am going to his house and not fleeing there. He’s even picking us up so we won’t get lost! Adios . . . Dios te bendiga. Thanks for your prayers and see you soon!
Louie
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