Love and Loss of Life

Paul Miller, in his book Love Walked Among Us, talks about the realities of Christ's love and how we avoid loving altogether because it is just too inconvenient.  He writes, "Loving means losing control of our schedule, our money, and our time. When we love we cease to be the master and become a servant."

I wrote about this a little a few weeks ago in the post What Am I Supposed to Do With My Life?. The command to love others changes everything in our lives. If by faith we obey such a command, we necessarily lose everything - we surrender it all. Our lives are not our own. It is impossible to love another without immediately facing obligation.

The only problem is that the obligations are out of our control. We have no idea what they will cost us. Things get even more inconvenient when Christ gives post-loving commands. He gives us further direction after we have taken the first step to love. While it is loving to speak to a poor man, the question that typically follows is, "How much do I give him?" Yeah, Jesus answers that too.

I don't believe the answer to that question, however, is significantly felt unless it is demanded. Unless it is being desperately asked by the person who has dared to love, and who is clinging to every Word that comes from the mouth of God for stability and direction. If it is asked before, the answer gets tossed to the side as "too vague" or "ambiguous."