There are times in all of our lives when we stand at the crossroads of love and self-protection. We can choose self-sacrifice and selflessness or selfishness and comfort. At these times, love requires great courage.

These crossroads can come during relational conflict, when health problems or financial worries strain a relationship—or when we aren’t sure if the love we give a child, grandchild, friend, mate, neighbor, or coworker will be returned.

During these times, we must remember that when Christ calls us to love, we need to follow His example of courage in Romans 5:6: “. . . God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jesus loved sinners. He loved those who wouldn’t return His love. He loved those who would break His heart. He demonstrated courageous love. When He stood at the crossroads of love and self-protection, He chose love. Christ was also able to love selflessly and avoid the trap of self-protection because He lived to please His father. He lived to do the will of the one who sent Him (John 4:34).

This week, I stood at the crossroads of love and self-protection. For part of a day, I chose self-protection. Then I remembered that Jesus loved because He entrusted Himself to His Father and I remembered that love requires courage.

Sure, it would be easier to run to protect myself from rejection. But when I decided to make it my goal to obey Christ’s call to love like Christ obeyed His father, rather than focus on my fears and feelings, my anxiety subsided, my courage grew, and my compassion for those He was calling me to love increased.

Jenifer Fox wrote, “Loving someone with no promise of any return is a sacred kind of love.”

Indeed it is because it takes faith. It takes being willing to follow Christ’s example to lay down your life. It takes a courageous heart.

When God calls us to love, we must remember that we don’t love primarily for our benefit or for the benefit of the object of our love, but for Jesus. There are times when we must choose love, simply out of obedience.

When God is calling you to love and you are standing at the crossroads of love and self-protection, will you follow Christ’s example?

Additional Resources

The Blueprint for Life eight week study will help you discover the life you were created for and God’s will for your life.  The study contains a Bible study; Strategic Life Planner and Ten Audio Messages featuring Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Tony Evans, John Maxwell and others.  Click here to check it out!