The Selfless Self: Give God Your “____Ever”Sample

God Can Use You…Now

Our exploration today is set in the inspiring chapter 15 of Romans. Paul’s life unfolds here, from his earliest days to the height of his mission. It’s an intriguing journey starting with his profound love for the Lord and culminating in a life dedicated to missionary work.

We find Paul asking God three central questions that many of us often pose: What am I meant to do? Where am I supposed to go? When is the right time? Essentially, these questions are the ‘what,’ ‘where,’ and ‘when’ of our existence. God is frequently met with these inquiries, which arise from our constant search for purpose, location, and timing.

Verse 20 tells us Paul’s approach, the ‘what’. It reads, “My aim is to preach the gospel, the good news where Christ has not been named so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation” (CSB). Here, Paul establishes his core mission: to bring the light of Christ to unenlightened places, to ensure his work doesn’t simply echo the work of others.

Despite his affection for its inhabitants, Paul’s commitment to this goal prevents him from visiting Rome. His words from Corinth carry the yearning to be among the Romans but emphasize his commitment to spreading the gospel in uncharted territories.

This leads us to our main point: God’s purpose and plan set the agenda for our lives. Paul’s purpose, his ambition, is to name Christ where He has not been named. It’s the driving force behind his actions. Likewise, our life’s objective is not about the stage we’re on but the purpose we fulfill there. That stage is a mere means to express and share our aim.

We sometimes misconstrue our vocation as our purpose. Our profession merely provides the platform to execute our mission. Paul makes it clear that his ambition is to share the goodness of Christ with the world. This purpose applies to all of us, regardless of our occupation. Whether you are a doctor, a lawyer, a plumber, or a baker, God has granted you a platform to demonstrate and share His love.

Similarly, our goal is to recognize and utilize our unique platform to share the good news of Jesus Christ. This is our true purpose. Paul’s journey, as told in Romans 15, is a shining example of living a life that faithfully adheres to God’s plan and purpose. May we draw inspiration from this, asking ourselves the essential questions—what, where, and when—as we navigate the path set out by God. By the end of these devotionals, I hope you will see God has you right where you’re supposed to be.