Is loving a risky thing? Some say it is. There are those who refuse to love for fear of being misunderstood or rejected...or even ignored. Thus, there are many, to whom God has given the greatest of gifts, who never share that gift with others.
If you have ever wondered if it is really worth it, rest assured, it is. The old saying may be trite to most but true none-the-less, "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."
John wrote, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) It is interesting to note that Jesus loved without being loved in return. John writes, "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not." (John 1:10,11)
Matthew recorded one of the prayers of Jesus in Matthew 23:37, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Yet, Jesus kept on loving and giving.
This kind of love was pure love, love that gave not expecting anything in return. He was even rejected in His own home town. Mark writes, "But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching." (Mark 6:4-6)
Finally, they crucified Him. Yet, from the cross, Jesus said, "...Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:34) In dying, He offered eternal life to as many as would believe.
Was it well-worth the risk for Jesus to love without being loved in return? It was.
Much of what we do, if we are going to love the way we ought, will not always return love to us. It is this way in life; it is this way in ministry. But the question still remains, is it well-worth the risk?
- Ask a parent, who has reared a troubled child. It is worth
it to them!
- Ask a troubled child if the love of a parent is well-worth
it to him. It is well worth it to him!
- Ask a pastor, who has tried to love those who have walked away
from the Lord. It is well-worth it to him.
- Ask a backslider if the love of his pastor was well-worth it
to him. It is well worth it to him!
- Ask the Saviour, Who gave Himself, when nobody wanted Him,
if it was well worth it to Him? It was well-worth it as He endured
the shame and the death of the cross!
- Ask a sinner, who once rejected the love of God, if it was
well-worth it when he received Jesus as Saviour. He will tell
you it was well-worth it!
There was a time when I truly wondered if it was well-worth it to continue doing what I was doing. After a long session with myself, I came to the conclusion that it was well-worth the risk. Upon that realization, I penned these words:
THE FAMILY GOD GAVE ME
T'was June of 1979 in Hinsdale, Illinois,
There was a church that took a chance on one young preacher boy.
Still wet behind his ears, and a pretty shade of green,
They took him in and cheered him on to do what he had dreamed.That was the start of many years of service for his King,
By loving, teaching, winning souls, and helping kids to sing.
He hoped and prayed and worked real hard to help his "fam'ly" grow.
Some came along so sure and fast; some others came on slow.In just a year and five short months, God called him far away
From Hinsdale on to Minnesota's cold and snowy day.
Four short years was all that God would give him there at best,
And when his time was finished, done, God sent him far out West.Could anything of value come from that old, dying town?
There must be something, someone there: a work that God wants done.
His time was short. "Too short," said he, "The work, it can't be through!"
But in His grace, God moved him on and said, "I've more for you."Festus, yes, you heard it right! Missouri's now his state.
Another work, another house, another church his fate.
Perhaps he'll stay forever, or at least he hoped and planned.
But once again, God moved him on by His dear loving hand."Why can't I stay," he asked his God, "in one place for a while?"
"All I want to do is build some lives and know Your smile."
"Each and every time I move, some roots are left behind."
"Surely this could not be all that You had in your mind."Then God, in love, did cast His gaze, His love, His helping hand
And let him know the reasons for his moves across the land.
He had a purpose every time He moved him from his nest.
There were some "kids" said "needed him," and in this, he found rest.At first t'was only just a few that called him "Pastor Dan."
And then that number grew some more e'en though he'd just began.
Just a few from that first church went on to serve with might,
But that's okay, t'was in God's plan; these few were God's delight.Then the fam'ly was enlarged through many painful tears.
These kids had somehow got to him; his kids, his friends, his peers.
Again he gave himself away, again the roots went deep,
And once again his fam'ly grew through parting tears to weep.That fam'ly grew, then grew some more; each time the pain was worse.
He thought he'd lost God's blessing and gained the Devil's curse.
"Is it worth it?" he asked God, "The pain's too hard to take!"
"Why should I go through this trial? My heart, dear God, don't break!"Then a letter came his way when he despondent sat,
And then another brought more light for him where he was at.
The words he read, and now does read and memorize each day,
Showed him God's own loving plan. He saw it perfectly."Pastor Dan, I won a soul, just like you showed me to!"
"Dear P.D., I spent some time with Jesus like you do."
"Thank you all for showing me the way I need to love,"
"I'll pray for you," and, "I love you." Sweet words from God above.So, as I look back upon these very blessed years;
As I've wondered why the hurt and shed so many tears,
Now I know the reasons why God moved me all around,
T'was for everyone of you, my kids, my joy, my crown.Written by Pastor Dan Parton
March 24, 1988
It is well-worth whatever you go through. Loving is well-worth the risk, in that even in losing, you win!