Yielding to Love

Lessons from Fence Posts

"If one part is hurt, all the parts share its pain.

And if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy."

 ~ I Corinthians 12:26 (NJB)

Love hurts sometimes.

Just as sickness in one part of our body makes us feel ill all over -- a sore throat, for instance, or an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters to the brain, fueling the depression that consumes body and soul -- so in the larger body of our relationships, the pain of others often becomes our own.

It's the flip-side of this amazing coin, you see. For the obverse carries with it joy -- joy in the victories, contentment, fruitfulness, elation, and blessings of those about whom we care.

Abundant Yield

Writing on the great Love that connects us, particularly within the Body of Christ, Henri Nouwen observes of Paul's words to the Corinthians:

"Every time we love others deeply we feel their pain deeply.

However, joy is hidden in the pain.

When we share the pain we also will share the joy."

~ Henri Nouwen, Daily Meditation for November 3

Perhaps we're afraid to love for this very reason. Because, no matter the joy, letting others into our lives means a certain vulnerability we can't avoid. How, then, do we confront our need to love and be loved? To love

• When we know our loved ones will at times suffer, often be kept apart, and one day die?
• When those closest to our hearts can wound us with careless words and thoughtless actions, sometimes even intentional in the midst of their pain?
• When insecurity and distrust come to call, causing them to withdraw out of fears of being misunderstood, shamed, or burdensome?
• When their differences from us become divisive, rather than a reason to come together in celebration of God's unique giftings?
• And vice versa (because it's a two-way street for all of the above).

So many possible barbs on this heart-connecting wire of Love...

Barbs on a Wire

And yet, deep down I believe that amidst them all, we are called to trust.

 

Not in ourselves. Not in our dear ones. Not even in the joy that will always trump the pain.

No. We are called to trust in Him.

The One Who was nailed to the fence post of our sin and shame, suffering it all so that we might live. Love Himself, Who died on a cross, was buried, and rose again, all in order to give us life eternal. For so He loved us.

Pierced

When all we can see is the pain and suffering, we would do well to remember that God sees the full picture, including the ultimate purpose, pleasure, and vast potential of His redeeming Love.

That we, too, are thus called to love, right in the midst of our vulnerabilities, in between all the hurts and fears that seem to hedge us in on both sides.

Vulnerable

Because as we love others through good times and bad, again and again God gives us fresh opportunities to trust.

We begin to realize that it is His Love flowing through our hearts -- Love that is unbroken and able to carry the inevitable burdens along the way -- making it possible for us to love others, and to love them well.

"Grow strong in the Light of My Presence.

Your weakness does not repel Me.

On the contrary it attracts My Power,

which is always available to flow into a yielded heart."

 

~ Sarah Young, Jesus Calling for November 2

For it is in yielding to Him -- a Man of sorrows acquainted with grief, Who yielded His Life in the ultimate sacrifice -- that the face of our pain meets the Face of Joy...

 

Yielded

 

And we are made strong.

 

 

~ Connecting with Three Word Wednesday, Imperfect Prose,

Faith Filled Friday, and The Weekend Brew