Compelling

The ancient text says that the love of Christ “compels.” It is the same word for catching a virus. Something that compels is so contagious it does not need to coerce, manipulate, shame, blame or mind-game. It is not safe, passive or self-protective either. Real love woos, beckons, empowers, flavors and ferments us into freedom. It is Jesus touching lepers even when it is against the law. It is Harriet Tubman heading back to the South to summon hundreds home. It is Dietrich Bonhoeffer telling the truth even when it costs everything. It is irresistible on its own terms.