Walking straight into the arms of Jesus
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 37:18)
I know a thing or two about being brokenhearted, walking away, and starting over. It’s gut-wrenchingly painful, fraught with heartache and fear. Still, there’s strength in doing so and peace that settles in, thereafter.
How many of us stay in bad relationships because we are afraid of the unknown and inevitable loneliness that follows? I spent years in one bad relationship after another. My experience with “love” has been:
- Betrayal and violence
- Control and demoralization
- Low prioritization
- Beautiful words without commitment
But isn’t love much more than that? By Biblical standards, yes. It most definitely is.
By worldly standards, I’m not so sure. I’d like to think so, but I have yet to find the same.
For me, love is a verb, not a noun. I love with my words and actions. If you need me for anything, I will be there – in the middle of the night, during the work-day, on weeknights and weekends. I love without expectation of receiving anything back.
But, one day, I’d like to be truly loved, in return – not just in words, but in action and commitment.
Am I not worth it? Is anyone? Should there be a reason for someone to love us?
There wasn’t for God. God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, even while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), when we reject Him (Isaiah 53:3), and even when we are more consumed with ourselves than Him (Isaiah 49:15). What a perfect example of love God is!
And so, I will continue to love others as Christ loved me. I may do so without ever finding genuine and lasting love, in return, but that’s not going to stop me from showing His love to the world around me.
After all, we are called to be His hands and feet (Romans 10:15). Who am I to hold back the love He’s given me to show others?
Whether I am to receive it in return is up to God. For now, though:
“I’m walking away from the trouble
Walking away on the double
Cutting the ties, leaving behind the old life
I’m walking into a brighter light
Finding it all in You this time
I’m crossing the line, fixing my eyes on paradise
I’m walking away.” (1)
For now, I’m walking straight into the arms of Jesus – to the only one who will never let me go.
Reference:
- Lowry, J., Mattson, C., Mosley, S. & Ingram, J. (2013). Walking Away [Recorded by Unspoken]. On Unspoken. Centricity Music.