Distance. Time. Effort. Patience. Faith. Trust. Loyalty. Drive. Love. Thats what relationship takes. That is what we were made for. To go the distance. To put in the time. To pour out intentional effort. To strive with patience. To have faith in our purpose. To trust that God's purpose for our life is good and bigger than ourselves. To be loyal to the mission. To do everything with a drive that is for God's glory no matter how small or big it may seem. To love hard. To love big. To love regardless. To love steadfast. How far would you go for someone else? It takes all of who we are, but it is what we were made for. Often, I forget purpose in this life doesn't revolve around a psych test or the next step in life, it is all part of a bigger, grander picture. A picture that I get the opportunity to be used to make if I remember who my creator is and all he has done for you and for me.
I have been listening to a song called Extravagant (Steffany Gretzinger and Amanda Cook) on repeat the past few days. The lyrics " only heaven knows just how far you'd go to say you love us" blew my mind, heart, and being into a whirlwind of emotions. Joy, thankfulness, awe, gratitude, love, and speechlessness overtook my heart. Jesus went the distance to tell me he loves me. He has proven it time and time again, even while I ran in circles around him. He took the time to walk out a life as a human though painful. He was rejected, mocked, and killed for me. He put in the effort to pull me in over and over, no matter my mistakes and times I rejected the help. It didn't matter how much I ran, he didn't give up. He was patient in my healing. He was faithful so many times to make a way when there was none. He has trusted me as a disciple to kids that are his children whom he adores and cherishes. He shows the loyalty that no one on Earth could ever show us. He is always with us, Emmanuel. He gives us passions and drives that are for his Glory. The Glory that is life-giving. Passions that give us drive to show Jesus. Jesus is love. "Only heaven knows just how far you'd go to say you love us.." WHAT JOY THAT BRINGS.
In the midst of that joy and thankfulness, I feel challenged to be like Jesus. The Word says that we are made in the image of God. That Jesus is our example. I am stirred by the question, " How far would you go to let someone know they are loved?" How far would you go to show someone hope? How far would you go to be light in the darkness? What if it cost you everything? What if it cost your life? What if it cost your image? Jesus didn't have to do any of that, but he did. He paid for us. He took us in. He went the distance. Oh, what a friend we have in Jesus. Let us embrace all Jesus has shown us and given freely to us, then go. Go into our schools, our homes, our jobs, our cities, our country, and our world proclaiming that deep, unrivaled love that we have as ours. Just how far would you go?
