Love Fearlessly

So I wanted to share my two cents on something I am learning. I do not promise that this will be eloquent, make sense or flow at all but I wanted to share.

I read this quote a while back on the back of a book that said "...the God who loves you fearlessly and pursues you with abandon." I wrote it in a journal and just read over it again earlier this month. It has lingered with me just as it did when I first read it. The part that jumps off the page at me is where it says "who loves you FEARLESSLY." Oh my are you serious fearlessly!?!? I think about loving people regardless and how we are called to love no matter what, that it should be unconditional and full of grace and mercy. But to think about God's love being fearless takes it to a whole new level. Which from scripture I think fearless is an accurate description. I mean think about it. Jesus didn't let the religious leaders scare Him off of His mission when they threatened Him. He allowed Judas to sit in His inner circle and never feared his betrayal. He took every step that needed to be taken to hang on a cross and die for our sins. He loved us so much and trusted His Father's plans so much that He was fearless. Then I think of God the Father being fearless in sending His son. Even though He knew He would be mocked. Even though He knew His sons death would cover everyones sin yet some would still not choose eternal life or a relationship with Him. Even though He knew His son would be beaten and put to death. He tells us over and over again in the Bible "Do not be afraid". So I keep dwelling on these thoughts and the ridiculousness that is His fearlessness. 

I started thinking about how even when I love regardless it's not fearlessly. I mean normally when I am loving regardless it's allowing someone to be themselves and that normally has little effect on me. However to love fearlessly means to love and not fear rejection. To love and not fear that they won't respond. To love and know that even if they don't love you back you are called to love. And even if you feel like your heart is afraid of getting hurt you should still love. 

My trust issues from the past use to make me hold back things because I didn't want to show someone how much I cared I didn't want to go out of my way and then have them walk away. But then I started thinking about how I say I love my friends. But if I am not willing to take down my wall of fear am I loving them. Which led me to the verse that says "perfect love drives out all fear." I swear it was like I heard God say "No megan no you are not loving them if you let your fear hold you back." If I'm afraid to speak up for the truth then that is not in their best interest and I am not loving them. If I feel like I should call, write a letter, or text them yet I fear they won't respond or fear they will think I am stupid for talking to them or if I fear they could careless about me reaching out to them so I choose not to do it then I am not loving them.

I've been praying God would help me to love fearlessly and I can honestly say it has open my eyes to opportunities I never saw before and a freedom like I've never felt before. Now granted I am not saying I have perfected this nor will I ever. But I am striving for it and when I hear fear come up I now see it and can break down the wall knowing that my God pursues me with fearless love so I should pursue others the same way. 

Well ok maybe that was more like my two dollars worth.