RISK

Wow, chapter 5 of "Sex God" has to be my favorite so far. Rob Bell starts the chapter by using a story from a junior high dance. Bring back any memories for any of you? You know when the girls stand on one side and the boys on the other side of the room. When one decides to take that great "risk" by walking across the room.

He writes: "Anytime we move toward another in any way, we are taking a risk. A risk that [they] may say no. Our gesture may not get returned. Our invitation may be rejected. Our love may not be reciprocated."

GOD created us to have freedom to love who we want, or to not love anybody we want. It is a risk HE takes in creating and loving us. HE will risk knowing that we may hand it back unwanted. Oh, how HIS Heart must break.

Bell states: "The story the Bible tells is of a living being who loves and who continues to love even when that love is not returned. A God who refuses to override our freedom, who respects our power to decide whether to reciprocate, a God who lets us make the next move."

He continues on in a section titled, "Love Is..." Love is handing over your heart and risking that it will be handed back unwanted. Love is giving another the power to choose. Love is giving away you. Love is surrendering.

I think this is and will be my favorite chapter because it is about risking. It's an invitation to RISK.

One of the most encouraging words I have every received came in a card from one of my dearest and most loved friends as I left for Korea.

She wrote: "In spite of your tears that flow freely, you are one of the strongest people I know. Being able to love others as you do and give of yourself to them as you have, requires great strength. That is because it involves taking a risk. Risks which you freely take knowing there may be painful consequences."

As I read this chapter I recalled her words. I had saved her card in my Bible. It is not my strength she is talking about. It isn't me who risks, for I know the pain has and is too much for me to bear, especially knowing how many times I have risked and handed my heart out to have it returned unwanted. The only way I could have done that and continue to do that is through, in, and with CHRIST JESUS, my SAVIOR, my EVERYTHING.

Though GOD knows what it is like, HE keeps Loving, keeps Offering, and keeps Risking.

If HE can continue to Risk, then maybe we can find a reason to Risk too!