To what lengths will you go for love? When my husband and I first started dating, we lived an hour apart. After a long work week, Mark would head home, shower and drive an hour to pick me up, take me out for the night, take me home and then drive the hour back to his condo. Some weekends we would see each other Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He never complained about the distance or the time he spent driving back and forth. When we moved to Atlanta, he had about an hour commute to work each day. Each week he would complain about how he hated the commute. He drove the hour commute to work because he had to do it. He drove the hour commute to take me out because he desired to spend time with me.
In Matthew 2 we read about Magi who traveled from the east to see the baby who was born king of the Jews. It is said they traveled 800 miles to see Him and pay their respects. Now that is some effort. Can you imagine riding a camel for 800 miles? I spent a week at a dude ranch and I don’t mind telling you four hours in the saddle did enough damage. I couldn’t imagine 800 miles in a saddle on any animal.
To what length would you go to spend time with the Lord? The good news is you don’t have to drive an hour each way to see Him nor do you have to ride a camel for 800 miles. He is right where you are, but it will take some effort on your part. You will have to sacrifice something to spend time with Him. However, if the relationship holds any value at all, then it is worth sacrifice.
King David understood this concept. In 2 Samuel 24:24 he told Araunah he would not take the offered animal from him for the day’s sacrifice without paying for it. He said “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
King David sacrificed money for his Lord. Jesus Christ sacrificed His life for intimacy with you. That is how much He valued it and you. How much do you value Him and intimacy with Him? What are you willing to sacrifice?