In his book, The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis states this about our decision to love someone or something.
“There is no safe investment.To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken . . .”
But he goes on to mention that if we decide to act contrary to God’s will and refuse to be vulnerable in this way, we will store our love away as if in a coffin of selfishness. Then he writes,
“We shall draw nearer to God, not by trying to avoid the sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him; throwing away all defensive armor. If our hearts need to be broken, and if He chooses this as a way in which they should break, so be it. What I know about love and believe about love and giving one’s heart began in this.”
In recent months, I have spent a good portion of my time pondering the art of loving one another. Love is certainly our most treasured gift as human beings. As followers of Christ, our highest aim and our greatest command is to love. But how do I offer it consistently? Do I risk the heartbreak often associated with being so vulnerable? I’ve come to believe the answers to these questions are quite simple.
To live this way I need only to look upon the nail-pierced hands and feet of the One who loved me best. Love in its ultimate form redeemed my soul and won my heart. So then, can I let myself be vulnerable to love Him in return by loving others? Oh yes, for He not only charges me to do so, but enables and empowers me with the capability. It is a beautiful cyclical process designed by the Creator of all things, including love.
The risk may be great, but the reward is far greater.
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