Let’s look closer at Romans 15:14-32. Paul shares 3 management principles all Christians should keep in mind.
The first, how to maintain perspective in our lives. Paul knew what he had accomplished, what he was presently doing and what he intended to do in the future. Through the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit many had come to Christ as he ministered from Jerusalem to Illyricum, vs 18-23. His pioneer work in this area was completed. At times it’s good to reflect on what God has enabled you to accomplish, especially during times of discouragement. But don’t live on past accomplishments. Look to the past for perspective, but keep working on what you’re presently doing till it is done.
As Paul wrote Romans he was on his way to Jerusalem with an offering from believers in Macedonia and Achaia, vs 25-26. This was not a “Priority One” task with him, but it was part of the big picture of building Christ’s kingdom.
As he was doing this, he was already thinking about what he should do next, possibly fulfill his desire to go to Rome. But he needed to be careful, and so do we, because though the future might look more exciting than the present, we shouldn’t live mentally in the future before we get the present task accomplished. Let your future plans motivate you in your present task and help you maintain perspective. As you plan for the future, reach far enough so it will take God’s involvement to accomplish it. But be careful not to reach out so far that your future plans become unreachable.