By James Hunt, Pastor. Caloosa Baptist Church, Labelle, FL
Recently, we took our children to a rodeo. It was a predictable event: bucking horses, roped calves, barrel racing, clowns performing, and bulls—big, angry, snot-flinging bulls. We have attended many rodeos over the years, and I thought I had seen everything. This time, however, we experienced something new.
The announcer invited everyone eighteen and older to participate in “The Ring of Fear.” I had no idea what that entailed, and I had no intention of jumping into the ring. Still, I decided to stay and watch.
As the time approached, my wife informed me they were planning to release a bull into the ring. I was convinced that for insurance reasons (and common sense) they would never actually do it. The announcer told the two young women who had signed up that the last one remaining in the ring would win the one-hundred-dollar prize. I still thought it must be a prank—that a clown would emerge from the bull chute instead. Who would intentionally put themselves in harm’s way? I was completely wrong.
The buzzer sounded and the bull chute opened. Eighteen hundred pounds of angry bull charged out, headed straight for one of the young women, and slammed her backward onto the ground. The purpose of her protective vest became painfully clear. Thankfully, she stood up and walked away. I walked away as well, shaking my head at such foolishness.
The Cost of Caring
I was recently in a conversation with someone about foster care and adoption. The person listened politely, then said reflectively, “You are opening yourself up to considerable pain and heartbreak.” I responded, “Yes, of course. But since when is our goal in life to avoid all pain and heartbreak?”
Jesus said, “Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Jesus expects us to intentionally choose a path of cross-centered, gospel-promoting, mercy-laden living that impacts the marginalized in His name. “Follow me,” Jesus said—and then He went to the cross. Why should we take a detour when the shadow of the cross falls across the sunlight of our ease and comfort?
Jesus also said on multiple occasions, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matthew 9:13). Perhaps the cost of mercy is the blood of the benefactor? It certainly was for Jesus. Perhaps it includes abandoning our pursuit of self-preservation and embracing pain and heartbreak.
Stepping Into the Mire
There are many ways to impact the marginalized in Jesus’ name. However, when you choose the path of caring for the powerless, you open yourself to the pain and heartache associated with the brokenness of their lives. It should come as no surprise that when we step into the mire of broken people’s lives, some of the hardship they have experienced splashes onto us, disturbing our peace.
Adoption and fostering represent choosing which type of heartache and pain you will experience for Jesus and His eternal Kingdom. Jesus stepped into our pain and calls us to honor Him by stepping into the pain of others. In doing so, God’s Kingdom advances in people’s lives one wounded heart at a time. Let us embrace pain and heartbreak together for the glory of God.
Eternal Prize
The temporal prize given to that young woman brave enough to face the wrath of the bull is probably already spent. The eternal prize of suffering souls made whole in Jesus is of ultimate value.
Zambia Hunt 
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