Ever wondered where the line is between loving someone selflessly like Jesus and just letting people walk all over you? In this episode of Geek Devotions, we dive into Grace’s amazing sacrificial care for Rocky in Project Hail Mary and explore how we can lay down our lives for our friends without becoming a doormat.

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In a recent episode of Geek Devotions, we took a look at the amazing display of friendship and sacrifice in the story of Project Hail Mary. While the narrative is a thrilling space adventure, it serves as a powerful backdrop for a deeper discussion on how to love others selflessly while maintaining a healthy sense of self.

A Stellar Friendship

The story follows Ryland Grace, a man played by Ryan Gosling, who is sent on a desperate mission to a distant star to save Earth’s sun from being consumed by a mysterious threat. During his journey, Grace encounters an alien lifeform nicknamed “Rocky”. Despite the vast biological differences and the fact that they cannot speak the same language, relying instead on gestures and noises, the two develop a deep bond. By the end of the story, they have become best friends and successfully discovered the science needed to save both of their home planets.

However, as they prepare to part ways to return to their respective worlds, Grace discovers a devastating flaw: the threat to Rocky’s world is more resilient than they realized and could escape the containers on Rocky’s ship. Grace is suddenly faced with an impossible choice. He realizes he does not have enough fuel to return to Earth and save Rocky. While he can send his findings back to Earth via drone ships to ensure his home planet is saved, he must decide whether to live the rest of his life on Earth or sacrifice his future to save his friend’s world.

Greater Love and the Dilemma of Sacrifice

This narrative arc is an amazing illustration of Jesus’ words in John 15:12-14:

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friend.”

Jesus lived this out by willingly laying down His life for humanity. To love like Jesus means practicing sacrificial love, putting the needs of others above our own, and loving selflessly.

One thing we wanted to point out, however, is that humans often struggle with balancing selflessness. It is easy to fall into a “trap” in which one becomes so focused on others that they neglect their own well-being or allow their kindness to be abused, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Love vs. Being a Doormat

A key takeaway is the distinction between sacrificial love and being a “doormat”. While believers are called to be selfless, Jesus was never a doormat; He did not let people walk all over Him. Jen Wilkin does a great job of explaining this in her book, In His Image:

“Jesus did not ever, for one instant of the incarnation, lack power. If he is a victim, he is not a Savior. Having access to limitless power, he willingly laid down his life. We follow his example of extending mercy, but we do so as those capable of being victimized. We forgive to the uttermost, but we do not enable or condone continuing victimization—ours or someone else’s”.

Everything Jesus did, including dying on the cross, was a conscious choice that He could have backed out of at any time. He had the power to stop those who opposed Him, but He chose to love others selflessly instead.

A Final Encouragement

So here’s our challenge: look for an opportunity to purposefully show love to someone in need this week. Be intentional about it. Yes, guard your heart while you do it, but step out in faith and show someone that you care.