For those of you that have read this before, I have added more to it. It was missing part of my journal due to a first day glitch. One of the joys in learning a new technology.
What if we could begin to comprehend how much God loves us. Would our outlook on life be different? Would we treat another child of His with care knowing how precious they are in His sight? Could we let go of years of teachings that showcase God as this tyrannical meanie waiting to pounce on our every misstep or mistake? You know the one-he appears more like Godzilla than the God of John 3:16!
What has been modeled for us over the years in our pulpits, our pews, and our homes could lead many of us to wonder about this “God is love” message. Then, of course, mix in the ingredients of tragedy, heartache, and hardship with a dash of circumstance and stress and you have a recipe for “confused child of God”! If you didn’t know by now, I am talking about myself and my journey from “How to Wow”. It has taken me years to go from, “how could God love me” to “Wow God loves me”!
Webster’s defines the word extravagant as “exceeding the limits of reason and necessity and unusually high in price”. One day, I was sending a mushy card to my husband and my best pal. I was thinking of him and how cool it was, after twenty one years together, that I still loved being with him and that he was like my favorite slippers-simply comfortable. It was then that this notion of extravagant love hit me. It has nothing to do with material things that fade but with that which is everlasting. This love is why I Corinthians 13 says it is the greatest thing. The BEATLES WERE RIGHT - all we need is love!
Think about that definition in terms of how extravagant God’s love really is. This love exceeds the limits of reason because there really is no way we can wrap our carnal minds around a Father that would send His son to die for our sins. If that weren’t enough, then He supplies our needs and does so beyond the limits of necessity meaning this love is boundless. “It is no secret what God can do!”
Whenever we are feeling unworthy, think about the last portion of that definition, “unusually high in price”. That’s you and me! We were not just purchased with a price but with an unusually high one. God felt that we were worth the death of His Son - there is no greater love. And God felt that we were worth this love that only salvation can give - not just eternal love but extravagant love because . . . there is no greater God. And as for the tyrannical stuff, I don’t believe it for a minute! I picture Him saying to me, “no need to be so formal, you don’t have to call me God, you can call me Father.”
