We are all walking wounded.
We have all been hurt. We have all been rejected. We have all offered our hearts only to have them thrust back into our faces.
Why would we continue to offer what no one seems to want? Why would we want to keep risking when we seem to receive so much hurt in return?
Why would we continue to make ourselves vulnerable, holding out our hearts in cupped hands, when so often the result is more bruising, more cuts, more places that will not heal?
Why?
Because this is what God did.
Yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son…
This. This is why.
God continually offers Himself to us. He offers us His heart.
God continues to offer what we don’t seem to want. He risks Himself and often receives hurt from us in return. He continues to make Himself vulnerable, holding out His heart to us while we simply thrust it back into His face.
While we were still sinners. When we were God’s enemies.
That was when He offered up His heart in the form of His Son.
And that is why we continue to offer our own hearts, to make ourselves vulnerable so that we can form the sort of community that demonstrates to the piece of world around us the immense and vulnerable way that God loves.
art credit: painting of Christ Crucified by Velazquez
art credit: painting of Christ Crucified by Velazquez
Oh, such a great and much needed perspective, Elizabeth! Thank you for a beautiful post!
beautifully written reminder elizabeth…appreciated the truth about the pain we sometimes receive and then the even bigger truth of why it’s worth holding our hearts out again and again. thank you!
I needed the reminder myself, so that I will continue to make myself vulnerable to those around me!