I-Gonna Be-covered by Steven Curtis Chapman ( original artist-the Proclaimers )

When this cover by Steven Curtis Chapman came out, I was far from being in a relationship. I hadn’t dated anyone- much less have a friendship with a girl. However, when I listened to this song, I could imagine myself being married to a wife to share in life’s journey.

The chorus in particular, holds special meaning to me:

“But I would walk 500 miles

And I would walk 500 more

Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles

To fall down at your door”

When I shared this chorus to my mom, she saw something deeper in it that I carry with me to this day. She saw the 500 miles as being a metaphor for sexual purity before marriage.

Sexual purity before marriage is hard work. It feels like 500 miles whether you are in a relationship or not.

It means more than not having sex before marriage, it means keeping one’s mind from acting on sexual temptation. It is doing it for a higher purpose, than just for the end goal of sexual purity. It is doing it to grow closer to God in the process.

It was hard work maintaining sexual purity before marriage, but it was well worth it. I developed a strong relationship with God and a deeper relationship with my wife as a result.

Walking 500 miles and walking 500 miles more means in marriage purity in a different sort. Yes, not acting on thoughts on sexual temptation, but also having a singleness in thought and action towards God. I am learning that to show appreciation to your spouse means going the extra mile, even 500 miles, to communicate love to them.

Gary Chapman in his book 5 love languages describes 5 love languages: physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, and gift giving. Make the extra effort to go a mile, or 500 miles to find out your spouse’s love language and express it to him/her.

If you are not married, I encourage you to go the distance in sexual purity before marriage. It will deepen your walk with God before you get married.

Even if you are not sexually pure, and you are waiting to get married, don’t give up on purity. Don’t give into thoughts of sexual temptation as you wait, and dive in into making Jesus the love of your life.

If you are divorced, maybe focus on singleness in thought and action before God is necessary before you enter into another relationship.

Walk 500 miles today, regardless of your relationship status. Your relationship status does not define you. It is a small part of the sum of you.

Let God define you, and give you worth. It is only when you discover your worth in his eyes you can show his love to your spouse, children, friends, family, and ultimately the world.