I Have Some Splainin' To Do

Paul had some splainin' to do to the Corinthians: why he was not coming immediately to see them. He had his reasons.

Understanding Paul's reasons for adjusting his schedule may very well help us set our own:

• Focus. Paul did not want to be distracted by what was next. I have made it a practice - when I get unexpected guests - to get up from my desk and walk across the office to another chair. I have found that if I remain at my desk, I will be distracted by the work I was doing before they arrived.
• Time. If we are to assist in the spiritual formation of others, we must be willing to dedicate time to them. Think about how Jesus spent time with his disciples. He chose them "so that they might be with him"! We, too, must make time to be spiritually present with others. There is no substitute for time!
• Success. Paul was seeing unexpectedly good results in Ephesus and did not want to interrupt what God was doing there. Sometimes God is just moving, and we need to be flexible enough to change our schedules and move with him.
• Problems. Paul faced many problems in his current assignment, and he did not want to leave them unsolved. Too often we view problems as a signal to cut and run. Paul didn't fall into that trap for he knew that Satan was throwing many obstacles in his way. When we leave unresolved problems, we risk losing the progress we have made.

Schedule-setting is never easy – especially when faced with things and people that are equally important. Think about it carefully and be willing to adjust as you go!