Relentlessly Pursuing Love: Reflecting Jesus in a World of Hurt

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But the truth is, Jesus didn’t call us to match energy. He didn’t say, “love the ones who love you back,” or “be kind to those who are kind to you.” He said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Think about it: how different is that from the world’s logic? It’s a love that doesn’t make sense to the world, a love that isn’t transactional but transformational..

In a world that often feels divided, where people are quick to "match energy" and practice an "eye for an eye," there lies a quiet, yet powerful call to something radically different. It's the call to relentlessly pursue people — even those who may have caused us pain — and to love in ways that reflect the love of Jesus.

I’ve recently felt an overwhelming personal conviction to respond to difficult situations, not by retreating into bitterness, but by embodying the same relentless love that Jesus showed us. It’s easy to say, "I’ll love you if you love me," or "I’ll treat you the way you treat me," but Jesus takes that equation and turns it upside down.

Society loves to sell us the idea that we should "match energy" — if someone hurts us, we hurt back. If someone ignores us, we should ignore them. We’re told that in order to protect ourselves, we need to be careful with who we open our hearts to. And yes, there’s wisdom in setting boundaries. But, here’s where we get it wrong: we’ve bought into a lie that tells us that the only way to deal with hurt is through reciprocation, retaliation, or simply walking away.

But the truth is, Jesus didn’t call us to match energy. He didn’t say, “love the ones who love you back,” or “be kind to those who are kind to you.” He said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Think about it: how different is that from the world’s logic? It’s a love that doesn’t make sense to the world, a love that isn’t transactional but transformational.

Imagine Jesus standing at your door, knocking. Not once, but again and again. Maybe He even takes a break to rest on the porch swing, patiently waiting, but never leaving. The world tells us, “Don’t waste your time on someone who won’t open the door.” But Jesus doesn’t give up. He continues to knock, despite rejection, despite frustration, and despite the hurt we may feel.

This image of Jesus persistently knocking at the door of our hearts — even when we’ve turned Him away before — is so powerful. It shows a relentless love, a consistent pursuit of us, even when we don’t deserve it. And, it’s that kind of love we are called to show others.

When we reflect on this idea of Jesus knocking, we begin to see that sometimes we’re the ones who have to choose to open the door. Maybe not right away, maybe after some hesitation, some time to reflect, or perhaps even after a season of anger and pain. But when we do decide to open the door — even out of frustration, or because we’ve grown tired of keeping it closed — we may find ourselves drawn to the love that stands on the other side. It's hard to turn away a loving person, especially one with the kindness of Jesus and the sweetness of a freshly baked batch of cookies.

I’ve had to live out this relentless pursuit in a very personal way. My relationship with my father was deeply damaged. The pain and hurt from our history weighed heavily on both of us. By worldly standards, he didn’t deserve my time, my love, or my care. Yet, when he fell ill, I couldn’t turn away. I knew God was calling me to be everything he wasn’t for me, and everything I needed him to be. I had to choose to love him in spite of everything, to show up and care for him when it would have been easier to walk away and let the past define our relationship.

In that moment, I realized that this kind of love doesn’t always make sense. It’s not about what’s deserved or earned. It’s about obedience to God’s call to reflect His love — unconditional, relentless, and transforming. I had to pursue my father with the same patience and care that God showed me, even when he couldn’t give me the same in return. And through that, I saw a small glimpse of how Jesus loves us — not based on merit, but on grace.

This experience has also convicted me deeply about how I approach new relationships. As we navigate life, we all come with our own baggage, past hurts, and imperfect responses. It’s easy to want to "match energy" when someone’s reaction isn’t what we expect. It’s easy to pull away when we feel ignored or dismissed. But God is calling me to live out this relentless pursuit in all my relationships — not just with family, but with friends, coworkers, and anyone I encounter.

This past week, I found myself leaning toward the world’s way of doing things — pulling back when someone didn’t respond the way I hoped. But this weekend, I felt the urgency to do something different, to pursue the person with love, to hold them accountable where needed but to show up for them, even when it’s hard. It’s easy to ignore someone who is ignoring you, but what does that solve? It only perpetuates the cycle of disconnection. What if, instead of pulling back, I chose to keep knocking at their door with kindness and patience, just as Jesus does for me?

We all have brokenness to work through. Sometimes, we don’t know how to respond to the hurt we’ve caused or the hurt we’ve experienced. But that’s all the more reason to pursue one another with love, even when it’s messy. It’s about being real with one another, holding each other accountable, and still showing up, even when the response is less than ideal. I’ve learned that, in the end, the fruit of that kind of love is worth the discomfort. It’s the kind of love that can heal, restore, and deepen relationships.

I’ll be the first to admit that pursuing others with love, especially after they’ve hurt us, is not easy. But I’ve learned that sometimes, it’s when we’re willing to endure discomfort and pain in the pursuit of love, that we see the beauty of transformation.

Jesus' love is persistent, consistent, and unwavering. And when we choose to love others in the same way — even when it's hard — we show them a glimpse of the Kingdom of God. The kind of love that says, "You are worth pursuing, no matter how many times you’ve turned away."

It may take time for someone to open the door. They may need time to see the sincerity of your heart. But eventually, the door will open. Maybe not because of force, but because of the goodness, the kindness, and the relentless pursuit that they can no longer ignore. It’s like a sweet aroma — an invitation to taste and see that love is truly the most powerful force in the world.

So, as I reflect on this call to love relentlessly, I want to encourage you — no matter the hurt or the pain, no matter how many times you’ve been hurt or disappointed, choose to love. Reflect Jesus, even in the hard situations. Knock at the door of someone’s heart with kindness, with grace, and with patience. Because sometimes, it’s that very love that softens hearts and opens doors.

The next time someone causes you hurt, instead of retreating into frustration or anger, remember Jesus’ relentless pursuit of you. Let that same love guide your actions. Keep knocking. And when that door finally opens, maybe you’ll find that the love you’ve shown has the power to change everything — one step, one door, one loving act at a time.