I will never forget a statement made by my College Economics Professor; “Your desire will determine the price you are willing to pay for any item.” He then used the example of your thirst after a long hike in which a bottle of water is $5. You pay the first $5 with no hesitation, you consider the price and pay the second $5, then you consider your thirst and decide the third bottle is not worth $5. Most things in life follow this law of economics, so it is the job of Marketing Departments to create a desire for their products. Consider, for a moment, these familiar lines from advertisements, “I’d walk a mile for a Camel,” “Snicker’s really satisfied,” “Cookoo for Cocoa Puffs,” and much more that are coming back to you right now. Last week, I again heard the jingle for a Klondike Bar. Sing it with me, “What would you do-oo-oo for a Klondike Bar?” The commercial goes on to ask, would you do this? Or would you do that? Would you go this far? How about this? What would YOU do for a Klondike Bar? I began to reflect on the lengths we will go to fulfill our personal desires. We will overcome the obstacles of money, distance, availability, health warnings and sensibility to satisfy our lust for material things.
The Bible tells us of different people who were willing to do whatever they had to do to get what they desired from God. Matthew, Mark, and Luke relate the story of a woman who suffered from a medical problem for 12 years. She had spent all of her money and tried every medical remedy to no avail. She heard Jesus was passing by and this was her only opportunity to get relief. It didn’t matter if she had to get down in the dirt and crawl, she had to touch Jesus. The minute she touched Him, she received everything she desired. Zacchaeus was a rich man and a leader in the city but there was something missing in his life. He had heard about a man named Jesus and wanted to meet him. As Jesus passed by, he stood on his tiptoes, maybe he jumped to see over the crowd or tried to push his way to the front, but there were just too many people. The desire to see Jesus overcame his pride and position as he shimmied up the nearest Sycamore tree. Jesus passed by and looked up; a life was changed. Testimonies abound in the Bible about the relentless pursuit of those who followed Jesus. Everyone who was willing to “do whatever it took” went home fulfilled.
The story of Grandma Freida touches my heart. Grandma Freida was very ill; so ill that hospice had been called in to assist the family in caring for her. Matt, Grandma Freida’s grandson had begun to attend a Pentecostal church, where his life was changed. Matt desired above all that his grandmother would be ready to meet the Lord when the end came. The church prayed as Matt began to tell his grandmother what a great God he served and of his hope of Heaven. Grandma Freida agreed to have a Bible study. As truth was revealed to her through the Word of God, she wanted to be baptized. She was so ill that the doctors forbid her to be baptized. She was informed that if her skin contacted any water, whether in a swimming pool, bathtub or lake, it would end her life, but Grandma Freida wanted to be ready to meet Jesus. One day she had an idea, she would wrap her body in Saran Wrap, so that the water would not contact her skin. Well, the pastor came and Grandma Freida was baptized in the wonderful Name of Jesus. The next Monday morning, she went home to be with her new-found Lord.
What about your relationship with God? What would you do for a closer relationship with God? How far would you walk to reach a soul? What crazy risks would you take to experience something so great in God that your life would be changed forever? What would you give to have that longing in your spirit satisfied? It takes total commitment but God’s Word promises that if you take the risk, you will never thirst again. WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A NEW ENCOUNTER WITH GOD?
