Romans 1:10-15 (NLT) One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to
come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some
spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get
together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be
encouraged by yours. I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I
planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work
among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. For
I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and
the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to
come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.
Paul says
the same thing 5 times using different words in this short passage and repeats
himself at the end of the letter. He wants the Roman believers to know how
important it is to Paul that he visits them. Seeing them will confirm his commitment,
his love and devotion to them. The sacrifice of a very long and arduous trip
makes friendship on facebook, a long email or the odd phone call seem trivial.
If we really care we will pay the price and go and spend time with those we
love. An authentic and meaningful relationship requires cost and commitment,
Paul knew that and went out of his way to reassure those he was writing to that
he was more than willing to pay the price. Are we?
Father, help us know when we need
to pay the price and show we care.
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