When you feel like you're in the wrong place

I was reading the book of Acts last week.  I was drawn to the chapters when Paul was arrested and left in captivity for years and the influence he had with high government officials while a prisoner.

Let's back track a little.  
In Mark 13:9-11, Jesus says "But look to yourselves; for they will turn you over to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake as a testimony to them.  And the good news (the Gospel) must first be preached to all nations.  Now when they take you [to court] and put you under arrest,do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say  nor [even] meditate about it;  but say whatever is given you in that hour  and  at the moment, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:9-11 AMP)

Now fast forward to the book of Acts.  Paul is warned by the prophet Agabus in Acts 21:10-14 that if Paul travels to Jerusalem he will be taken captive.  With these warnings from the believers and from Agabus Paul still goes to Jerusalem in Acts 21:17.
So Paul goes to Jerusalem and goes before the Christians there to present his life and ministry.  They ask Paul to take a few men with him and go into the temple to purify himself in the Jewish custom so he will be well received in Jerusalem by the Jews.  When Paul is in the temple in Acts 21:33 he is taken captive by the Jews and beaten to near death when the Roman guards come running to see what is going on and arrest Paul before the people can kill him.  
So Paul is taken into custody by the Roman centurion and is being prepared to be beaten and tortured when he declares that he is a Roman citizen.  This forces the Roman guards to stop what they are doing and treat him kindly.  This was apparently the Roman custom at the time.  We see in Acts 23:11 that Paul has a visit from The Lord and is told that Paul will give his testimony in Rome.  In Acts 23:31 the Roman centurion sends Paul off to Governor Felix for his case to be heard.  So Paul presents his case before Felix so it can be determined if Paul was justly harassed by the Jews and to see if Paul should be handed back over to the leaders in Jerusalem. Felix cannot make an accurate judgment on Paul's case so he decides to hold Paul so he can win favor with the people.  In Acts 24:4 Paul has his first recorded opportunity to witness to a high official.  Felix gets his wife and they go down to see Paul and hear what he has to say about Jesus.  Paul takes his chance and speaks to them both concerning the faith.  Felix is troubled by what he hears and takes his wife and leaves.  Felix leaves office and leaves Paul behind in captivity.  The new governor takes office and is not sure exactly how to handle the Paul issue.  Then King Agrippa shows up and gets presented with Paul's case.  He decides to give Paul the platform to hear his story.  Not just King Agrippa will hear Paul's story but the entire group of officers in the military will join the king.  So Paul tells his story and the story of Jesus Christ.  After spending time hearing Paul the king says, ’based on what I've heard this man should be let you go.  But because he has asked to go before Cesar to Cesar he shall go. So now Paul has the opportunity to go into Rome and spend his time with the church there.  

Here is the point that sticks out to me.  Paul could have easily taken his beating and walked away to be free and do whatever he wanted, go wherever he wanted to go.  He could have prayed and asked the Lord to send angels to release him from his jail.  Instead he appeals to Caesar sending him into a whole mess of red tape.  Through the process that most people would consider to be “the wilderness” Paul has the chance to witness to and share his testimony and Jesus with all of these high level government officials that he normally would not have had the chance to speak with. 

I look at it this way.  God knows where He wants us to be and when He wants us to be there.  This does not always mean that He wants us in the land of sunshine and lollipops.  Sometimes He wants us in darker places so we can show others the love of Jesus. So we can witness to the lost.  
I have felt, for last few years, that I was being punished for bad choices I had made and that I was stuck in this place until I learned my lesson.  I now realize that I can make a change while I am here.  Although this is not the place I want to be, and I am learning to move forward, I can share Jesus with all I encounter.  I can enter the lives of people I wouldn't normally be able to influence if I were not here.  I need to understand that people are changed when they meet me, when they talk to me. What I say and how I say it can change someones life.  I need to look around and see the hurt, see the need in the area I am in.  

Lord, show me the areas that you want me to influence in the place I am in now.  Give me opportunity to be a witness to Your love, healing power, and blessing.  
I thank You for Your provision in my life.  I thank You for using me in the change You are bringing to this place. 
Glory to God!