What shall befall me there? Paul did not have a slightest idea what would happen, what kind of danger, failures, sorrows, disappointments were awaiting for him, he could not foresee. Complete uncertainty was ahead of him, however with his usual bravery he says: “I go into Jerusalem”. He was not one of those who avoid their duty, because they do not know what that duty will demand of them.

All of us too are standing before an unknown, uncertain future: we see nothing in front of us; we are just trying, with tremble and fear, to pass though into that uncertainty.

“What shall befall me there?” I do not know and no power can reveal this to me. Conjectures are fruitless, we won’t know what opportunities we could have, if sorrow or happiness is awaiting us, if future is alike the past, or if there will be a complete change? Let us not get lost within conjectures but like ap.Paul bravely march ahead, following the will of God, and He will clear our paths Himself.

“What shall befall me there?” Changes, unexpectedness are inevitable, and then, close or far, the end is there.

That is our “Jerusalem”, our final destination.

So let us go there “bound in Spirit”. The only hope on God can inspire us to move forward calmly and bravely. Let us not worry about tomorrow; God will take care of it by Himself.

Surrounded by darkness, seeing nothing ahead of us, let us stretch our hand and grab His hand, which is always ready to support and lead us. And we also will be able to say: “When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me”

(Translated from “Every Day is a Gift from God. Diaries of an Orthodox Priest”, author unknown)
Translation by Tatiana Rozzell copyrighted 2009/2010. All rights reserved