Worth the Trouble

Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? Mark 4:21

Not long ago I had the opportunity to take a transatlantic cruise. Five days of nothing but water and occasionally another ship in the distance. There were passengers who felt some anxiety about it and were eager to see land again. But I found it didn’t bother me. I enjoyed the beauty of the ocean and the time to reflect on the vastness of creation.

The ocean is so immense, so full of life. It got me to thinking— the first five days of creation contained so much beauty. God could have stopped there.

I wonder if, on day six, right after God created the animals but before He made Adam… I wonder if God hesitated for a moment, knowing what trouble we would be and what it would cost Him to redeem us from sin to accomplish His ultimate purpose.

Probably He did not hesitate, but even if He did, in the end God decided that we were worth it to Him. He created us for relationship with Him, a type of relationship He couldn’t have with rocks or trees or fish or birds or even cats or dogs.

He decided we were worth the trouble. He decided we were worth the pain.

I’m a natural introvert. Was painfully shy as a young child, became typically awkward in my middle school years, and now that I’m in my 50s have just about given up on ever outgrowing the awkwardness. 😁 I’m definitely more outgoing than I used to be. I like to socialize; but then when I’m around people for too long, I feel I need to get away to decompress. The fact is, I do very well by myself.

But.

God has called me, He has called all of His children, to reach out to others with the love of Christ. Sometimes I wish I could just check out and keep to myself, but you don’t light a lamp and then put it under a basket. If I have the light of Christ, I need to share it.

There are a lot of memes out there about liking dogs better than people and about how I would do such and such but then I’d have to be around people, etc.

I know, I trust, I hope that when Christians post such memes, they are doing it with a light-hearted intent. There is some comfort in knowing that my introverted feelings aren’t crazy but rather are shared by a lot of folks out there.

But Jesus didn’t keep to himself, preserving his comfort, keeping peace for himself. He came to us, knowing how much trouble we would be, and he sacrificed his comfort for our security. Much like we do for our own children. But are we willing to do it for neighbors? For strangers? For enemies? That’s what we’re called to do.

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Matthew 9:36

Yes, our personality differences may affect how we interact with people. It’s not wrong to be shy or to take time for yourself. But I know at times I have used my personality as an excuse to sit and do nothing rather than take an opportunity to serve others.

We’re living in an ocean of lost souls. On that cruise, I met some Christians who have an inspiring ability and willingness to engage with people, even strangers, about spiritual things. Often I hesitate to make that investment of time and energy. But if God says they’re worth it to Him, then they ought to be worth it to me.

Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
Acts 8:4

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.
I Corinthians 9:19

Dear God, You didn’t have to create us, but You did. You knew what it would cost You, but You did it anyway. Show me how to love others the way You do, and forgive me for the times I have devalued people in my own mind and heart. Renew my zeal for serving and loving others. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins