I remember signing up to run a half-marathon, and around the 9-mile mark, some friends had posted up along the course to cheer me on. While I had trained diligently and believed I could finish, I was tired—and it was so encouraging to see people who had taken the time to show up and meet me in a tough spot. Just seeing familiar faces, people who believed in me, gave me the push I needed to keep going.
Based on what we know, the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns were about a 30–40 mile walk from Rome—likely a two- to three-day journey each way. This wasn’t a convenient trip. Paul was arriving in Rome as a prisoner, after a shipwreck, and having endured incredible hardship. Imagine what it meant for him to see people who cared enough to come that far just to meet him!
I love how God uses His people to encourage one another. Is there someone in your life you could meet on the road and encourage this week?