The big hurt

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. 13:13

Extending love is an adventure that all who walk this earth participate. Willing or unwilling this trip is either hesitant or reckless, as the initiator is compelled to things or others by a curiosity that is inherent. To love and be loved is something we were created to do and to ignore, hide or deny this absolute of living is an excursion into loneliness. To possess or be the object of love is both rewarding and dangerous. It can leave a big hurt, but through practice is the best help to a world that has a diminishing capacity in caring for others.

We were created by God as objects of His love (Jer. 31:3). In that sense our souls are given the ability to do the same. In freely exercising love we can opt to hold it out to others casually and return it the same way. With little or no strings attach there is no sense of attachment or fulfillment. The greatest type of love is that which is unconditional. No situations, fences or limits on how or where it can be given. It is an all-in for the object or individual, it is at all cost, it is high risk and high reward.

Relationships start casually and are strengthened through time, experience and trust. They can be faked, although life and love soon reveal the depth and nature of such pursuits. It is love that is offered and extended that opens and closes relationships, turning something informal into that which has substance and source.

Unconditional love is both intimate and distant. It may have to be viewed from a far when put to the test as it can damage or hurt the giver. Yet it is that love God modeled through His Son and the love He wants his creation to exercise. It’s in the responsibility of exercising love toward others that the world becomes a better place. We all have an obligation to this world and accountability to God. Extending unconditional love to others can leave a big hurt in our hearts, yet it will also be the start of the biggest help to a world that desperately needs it.

When words ring hollow they have a tremendous ability to hurt and leave a huge hole.

Hurt and helping,

Submitted by Pastor Dave Jagemann, Chapel of Faith