The apostle Paul was a strategist. His mission to take the gospel to the Gentiles was anything but haphazard or random. In his letter to the saints in Rome, he twice made clear his intention to preach the gospel and to encourage and establish the believers there in the faith. In fact, he was so successful in taking the gospel from Jerusalem to the Roman province of Illyricum, basically the last stop before Italy, he could say, “I no longer have room for work in these regions.” (Romans 15:23)

However, there was one more task he prioritized before getting to Rome: taking an offering from the Gentile churches to aid the poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem. Knowing he had many enemies there among the Sanhedrin--and having been warned by Agabus’ prophecy (see Acts 21:11)--Paul obviously knew the risks and asked those in Rome to pray that he might escape in order to arrive in Rome “with joy and be refreshed.” (Romans 15:32)

Ultimately, Paul’s plan was to go to Rome and minister there, and from Rome be helped on his way to Spain. Not only did he never make it to Spain, he arrived in Rome as a prisoner. In spite of these “setbacks,” Paul never flinched in his mission to proclaim the gospel to Gentiles. Here are three principles we can draw from Paul’s experience to help us when our plans go awry:

1. Make your plan.

There’s nothing wrong with laying out a strategy for what you want to accomplish in life. The old saying is true: “People do not plan to fail, they just fail to plan.” A workable, reasonable plan gives focus and direction. Setting goals and priorities will guide you in decision-making and how you spend your time. I encourage you to prayerfully plan your life as a believer. Such a plan might include forming steps for sharing the gospel, financial stewardship, or serving in some kind of ministry position.

2. Work your plan.

I recently heard a friend say, “A good plan well executed is better than the best plan poorly executed.” Paul was indefagitable and never rested on his laurels. The energy with which he carried out his mission is absolutely incredible. One writer described him as “a spiritual Atlas who carried the Gentile world on his shoulders.” It is one thing to plan your work but another to work your plan. What’s keeping you from performing that thing you desire to accomplish for God? Turn your desire into doing.

3. Defer your plan.

We cannot know the future, and plans often fall out differently than what we hoped. Twice, Paul sought to take the gospel eastward, but those doors closed. He really wanted to take the gospel to Spain, but that task would fall to someone else. While forming strategies and making plans is a good thing, we must always defer to God and ultimately adjust to His plan. Remember, His will is always for our good and His glory. A.M. Overton famously wrote: