Extravagant Love

     Extravagant love. What comes to mind? Is it a bracelet dripping with diamonds, a trip around the world, a love poem written just for you? All of those sound wonderful, but that’s not it. Our world tells us, “You deserve the best.” “You are worth it.” “It’s all about you.” Jesus turns all of that upside down with His sacrifice on the cross. While we were yet sinners, He took it all upon Himself, suffered and died, because He loves us.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  1 John 3:1a

     Extravagant love may not come in the way you would envision it. It comes in the heart of the mom with the severely disabled child. There is not much time to think about herself or her needs. She would not have wished or dreamed about this life for her family, but would she have it any other way? No, the love is deeper than anything she has or will ever experience.

     I visited with an older woman for years back in the 90’s. She could not see. Her lungs held little air and she suffered from congestive heart failure. She had several good friends. They shared  the same church for decades, studied the Bible together, raised their children at the same time, shared deep joy and deep sorrow.

     This band of sisters rallied around Marcia. They catered to her needs in reading to her, picking up groceries and praying with her. I rode along with them to see Marcia for the last time. She was near death and in hospice care. This beautiful group gathered around her and sang hymns of praise to their God and thanked Him for the life of this dear friend. Still brings me to tears when I think about it. I sat off to the side. (I can’t really sing anyway) I felt as if I were witnessing something rich and lavish; that extravagant love of Christ that is sacrificial and beyond words.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  Colossians 3:16

     I witnessed the message of Christ dwelling richly among them that day as they sang psalms and songs of gratitude. Talk about a Scripture coming to life! The places the world wants to avoid, the difficulties and sufferings we are called to endure, often become the very places we witness the holiness of Christ and His sacrificial love. Don’t be afraid of His lavish love. It is there for the taking. He gives it richly, abundantly, extravagantly. Can we do the same?

Jesus,

You, the pure light of the world, washed the filthy feet of Your disciples. Show us how to love in the ways of Your heart. Take away our fear as we step a little closer to serving others sacrificially in Your name. After all, that’s what you taught us to do.

Amen