We can see from this section of the letter that Paul did plan out his trips. He had in mind just where he would like to go and when he would like to go there. However, Paul also allowed for the leading of the Lord in his decisions. Here he said that he would come and spend a good deal of time with the Corinthians if the Lord allowed! As men we are always in a hurry to make our own choices as to what we will do and when we will do it. But sometimes we are slowed and directed in another way by the will of our Father in Heaven.
Paul refers to some of that direction when he speaks about a door being opened and about those who oppose him. In another letter of Paul’s we find out that he was prevented from entering one of his chosen mission fields by the work of a spirit of the devil. Paul acknowledged the influence that God had in his life and also the influence that the devil had as well. We need to pray that we could be as in tune with the spiritual workings around us as Paul was with those around him.
Paul urges the Corinthians to help Timothy because he was working for the Lord just as Paul was working for the Lord. We see that Paul seemed to be sort of the mission planner for several of the missionaries, he was directing Timothy, Apollos and others as to where they should go and when.
All of our life is a mixture of our plans and God’s plans, quite often we try to make our plans God’s plans, “this is where we are going, OK God?” Instead we need to be ready to make God’s plans our plans! This is usually a stretch for us as people who like to control everything.
How do you think Paul felt about the Corinthians?
Paul says that some of the people who came to him “refreshed his spirit” who is it that does that for you?
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