January 17, 2013 - Acts 28:15

            “The brothers there had heard that we were coming and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us.  At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.”  Acts 28:15.

            Paul’s journey to Rome was coming to an end after months of travel and hardship.  The travelers would come to Rome on the Appian Road, arriving first at the Three Taverns, which was approximately 40 miles Southeast of Rome, and then to the Forum of Appius, which was 10 miles closer.  Some of the followers of Jesus in Rome were so excited about Paul’s coming that they traveled down the Appian Road to both locations.  It was no short walk!  It was a full and strenuous one-day journey by foot to reach the Three Taverns.  It was evident that these believers couldn’t wait to meet Paul and to be with him.

            I remember times when I was dating my wife that I had to travel some distance to be with her.  It was not unusual for me to have warm feelings of anticipation, thinking about our time together.  I longed to be with her!  I think that, except for the romantic component, this anticipation is similar to what these believers must have felt when traveling to meet Paul.  This thought of anticipation got me thinking.  When I am traveling to meet with someone, what are my thoughts and/or prayers concerning our time together?  Am I anticipating our meeting or am I distracted by the radio, or a CD, or the phone, or (horrors!) text messages.  In considering the value I place on my times with various friends, I desire to be more intentional about preparing for the time we will spend together.  God may have something to say to me as I prepare for the time.  This, I think, was the spirit in which these believers journeyed down the road to meet Paul.  This is the spirit of anticipation that we can have traveling down our road.

            Questions to consider: Who would you travel 40 miles by foot to spend time with?  What does it feel like for you to anticipate your time with someone as you travel to see them?  Do you do anything special to prepare yourself for being with someone?  Have you ever had a sense of God showing up as you were going to meet someone?

            Prayer: Father, help me to value the time You give me in traveling to see people, and help me to be more intentional in anticipating my time together with them.  Amen.