How are you doing after all of our recent talk about RISK?
Did you just tune me out? . . . Does that question make you a little uncomfortable?
If you’re feeling a little squirmy right now, keep reading. This letter is coming straight from My Place… to yours.
To YOU.
Dear (insert your name here),
If you followed my recent #RiskRejection posts (and hopefully some linked up at Amy Sullivan), your heart may be telling you it’s time to take a risk. Not just any ol’ risk for the sake of risk taking, but a risk for Jesus’ sake… for the sake of our world… for the sake of your soul.
Does that scare you silly?
I totally understand being paralyzed by fear. Fear of rejection… being “found out” to be less (competent, loving, risky) than people think I am. Fear of failure. Oh, yeah. I totally understand.
But guess who loses when I give in to my fears. I do… and so do the ones I could be loving. The ones for whom I could be risking.
Perhaps that’s part of my struggle. Perhaps it’s part of yours. I don’t really love people like God loves them.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.
1 John 4:18
Oh, I like to think I do, but the more I ask God to reveal himself to me, the more I see clearly. No matter how much I want to think – or say – I love others, I’m afraid to risk myself for them. Why is that?
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
What would it feel like to really, truly love people like God loves them? What would it BE like?
I met a woman a few days ago who said, “I love homeless people. I just love them so much!” She wasn’t bragging or being sensational. It was obvious: She LOVES homeless people!
I’m not there yet. Do I want to be? How can I be so uncomfortable around – or afraid of – someone I don’t even know?
You and I? We have access to the greatest Power Source there is! He also happens to be the greatest teacher… so why don’t we tap into that resource?
Why don’t we ask Him to transform our hearts? To replace our fears and self-focus with love – His love – for ourselves, our families… the ones He calls “the least of these”.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
John 13:34
Perhaps the “bottom line” question is this one: Why don’t we choose obedience? Ouch.
I know I’m asking you to take a risk. I don’t know what it looks like for you, but I’m pretty certain you already have a tiny clue. Even if it’s only a “topic” – with no clue where to start – you already know where you need to risk.
Asking someone to have their heart transformed means we must be willing to commit our hearts to the journey with them.
– David Z. Nowell (aka Renaissance Man)
I just asked… and now I’m committing. Along with you, I’ll be asking God to move me from saying I love others to being obedient; learning to actually love others as I love myself. (Yep. Learning to love is a process… and it starts with a choice.)
I’ll be here for you. I’ll struggle alongside you. I’ll pray for you. You can hold me accountable.
It’s your turn. One tiny step toward obedience… All around are signs of God’s love for YOU. Are you looking?
Leave a comment – or send me an email. What risk are you taking? What’s your biggest fear? What are you waiting on? (Those of you who already have… I’m praying!)
Want a simple way to love someone today? Here’s a suggestion that holds the power to actually transform a life. Just click the pic for all the details.
(Project runs through April 1)
Look for previous Valentine Project posts on the sidebar.
I’m joining Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Join me?
