Romans 15:22-33

22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

-Romans 15:22-33

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Do you have any friends or family who live far away? Maybe relatives who live overseas, friends you met at summer camp, or people you know that have moved away. If you are close to those people, I'm sure you've felt a longing to see them again, hoping to once again experience those relationships or community you had with those people.

We read in this passage that Paul had been longing to see his friends in Rome, and he is now planning to visit them. However, it appears that although he would be able to visit, his final destination is still elsewhere, in this case in Spain. Furthermore, Paul also has a task to do in Jerusalem which he would need to address first before venturing to Rome and Spain.

Having our own agendas and desires to go places or see people are great and help us plan our futures. We as human being will always have longings to see friends and family, especially if they are far away and we haven't seen them in a while. However, we learn from Paul that although he yearns to see his fellow Romans, he still understands his priority and calling to do what God has called him to do, which would be to address the matters in Jerusalem and continue his ministry into Spain. 

This didn't mean Paul would be unable to connect with his friends though. Not only was he going to find time to still visit, but we see that Paul urges them to connect with him by praying for him, praying for his journey before reconnecting in person. Paul reminds us of the importance of being spiritually connected with our friends and family, especially when we are unable to be physically connected. Often times you may see or hear missionaries or church groups asking for prayers when they set off on a trip. This may be the most important thing christians can ask for when we become distant with others. However far we may venture, we can still always be joined together through our prayers and fellowship with God.