Worth the Risk: Why Love Initiates by Abigail Wallace

by Rachael Adams | Oct 5, 2023 | The Love Offering Guest Blog Series

“You’re invited!” It was only November 13th, and Jen had already sent an evite to their family’s New Year’s Eve party. Her early invite showed love.

“I got it covered!” My husband had cleared his schedule, reserved a room, and arranged for childcare so he could whisk me away for a night. His initiative spelled love.

“Want to walk in an hour?” Christin had texted, knowing I might have other plans. But the chance of a walk was worth the last-minute ask. Her spontaneous text expressed love.

Each was an act of love because every inviter takes a risk. Because “the invited” might say “no” —and no one likes to hear “no.”

Love is spelled T-I-M-E, but that is not the only way. It is also spelled I-N-I-T-I-A-T-E. Initiate. Sometimes the best way to love is to initiate, which is to risk.

Great givers initiate. They forgive first and confess first and invite you before you invite them. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Great lovers take the lead.

Love Risks Rejection

I like to give books as gifts. But it’s risky because there is a very real chance that my favorites will be unloved and ignored. Many times, I’ve wanted to add, If you don’t like this book, would you please give it back? I’ll find a better fit.

True confession: one year, I did jot that on a Post-it and slap it on the book before I wrapped it. Yes. But I fear that my bigger love offerings will be rejected too. I fear my writing submissions and coaching suggestions, my apologies and peace-making efforts, and my own invitations to dinner or a walking date will be rejected.

Relationships are risky. There is a very real chance that we will be misunderstood or, worse, well understood and rejected. We grow weary of going first, leery of facing rejection.

But nothing ventured, nothing gained.

The Man of Sorrows, our Lord Jesus, was despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3). His great love was ignored, even spurned. Not all received him. “He came to his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11).

Some would reject his love. His offering. Him.

Follow Love’s Lead

If we are to follow Christ’s lead and reflect his light, our love may be rejected too.

But Christ’s love compels us, and we initiate. “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). This is why we love on, risk on, and invite again.

You take this charge seriously. After all, you are the giver, the helper, the inviter. But maybe today, you are weary.

Oh, generous friend, when the weight of initiating and risking again is heavy, let’s remember what the Lover of our souls did. Let us find our rest in him.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

About the Author:

Abigail is a Scripture-soaked speaker, writer, and encourager who needs God’s taming grace daily. Her greatest joys come from helping others look through their trials to God’s strong, loving hand. Abigail lives in the big woods of Wisconsin with her husband and two teenage sons. She enjoys fast walks, deep talks, chasing sunsets, and challenging the soul’s status quo with God’s living and active word.

Abigail’s new book Meek Not Weak: A 12-Week Guide to the Gentle Strength of Meekness, is available at Amazon.