The Power of Love
Last night, my wife and I watched Roofman. What we expected to be a comedy turned into something far deeper — a powerful reminder that love is not always soft, easy, or comfortable. Sometimes love does the hard thing because it’s the right thing.
As the pivotal scene unfolded, everything in me was screaming, “Don’t pull over. Keep going.” Freedom was right in front of him. He could escape. Start over. Disappear.
But continuing down that road also meant living a life separated from the people he loved most.
Pulling over meant beginning the long journey back “home” — even though that road would take him somewhere he did not want to go, but desperately needed to go.
Jeff’s love for Leigh moved him to stop.
Leigh’s love for Jeff moved her to turn him in.
That’s the part that stayed with me.
In our culture, love is often defined as unconditional approval or protecting people from consequences. But real love is deeper than that. Real love cares more about truth, healing, and restoration than temporary comfort.
By the end of the story, there’s almost a sense of gratitude from Jeff toward Leigh. As painful as it was, the hard love she showed him may have been exactly what he needed all along.
“You did nothing wrong. You have nothing to apologize for.”
The two embrace, weep, and move forward with their lives — apart, but somehow still together in mutual love and respect.
Scripture reminds us that “love rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Love and truth are not enemies. In fact, love without truth becomes enabling, and truth without love becomes harsh. Real love requires both justice and mercy.
Sometimes, the most loving thing a person can do is intervene when someone is making destructive choices. Sometimes love says, “I can’t let you continue down this path.”
That truth may not play well in today’s culture, but it’s necessary. Our choices have consequences — both good and bad. And if we want to live wisely, we must become people capable of making wise choices.
That kind of wisdom doesn’t happen accidentally. It’s formed over time through:
what we put into our minds,
the disciplines we practice daily,
and the community we surround ourselves with.
Who we become determines the choices we make when life’s defining moments arrive.
And maybe that’s the real lesson:
Love is not doing what is easiest.
Love is doing what is right.
