It Starts Small

After two years of being under house arrest, Paul was vindicated and set free from Caesar. Where did Paul go?

whenever I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.

Romans 15:24

Paul remained stubborn! (Day 22) After decades of ministry, his ministry philosophy never changed.

Brothers and sisters, I do not^[a] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,

Philippians 3:13

By now, Paul is in his 50s. Even at this age one would think it was time to hang up the sojourning shoes and retire. Not Paul.

I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly^[a] call in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

You can retire from your job, but you’ll never retire from your calling.

Paul says: I PASS on….

At this point, Paul was intentional in creating opportunities for other young leaders. He had left Titus in Crete and Timothy in Ephesus. He was training them to be leaders. These two men were very different from one another. Titus had proven himself when he negotiated a reconciliation between Paul and the Corinthians. He was leader material.

Timothy, however, was timid. There was a real possibility people would see him and doubt his calling or look down upon him.

Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love,^[a] in faith, and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

No matter what weaknesses Timothy had, Paul ricked it all on him. Because of Paul, these leaders will forever be remembered as the first bishops at the church in Crete and Ephesus.

Paul said, I move on…..

But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course^[a] and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.

Acts 20:24

This friends, is what I consider most admirable about Paul. Paul’s heart for God remained true all through out his life. This scripture was his life’s motto. At the end of his life, Paul was in prison again. Just before he died, he wrote Timothy one more time.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

What a statement Paul has spoken! There were no life regrets for Paul. I want that! How about you?

Thoughts to Ponder:

• How would you like to describe your life when it is time to leave this world?
• What kind of legacy would you like to leave behind?

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.