Extravagant Love!

This series gives examples of where our Creator shows us how to love extravagantly. In like manner we are told to give our lives away, to die to self.

The example of Jesus of Nazareth, our Creator, is to love extravagantly.

Many times, when people are told about the Biblical concept of humility, they immediately think “door mat.” That of course is what the world truly believes. Look out for #1 because if you don’t, well, no one else is going to do it for you. The world sees humility as bad and pride as good.

The fact is, Humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is thinking about yourself less often. Humility is thinking about others first.

Love thinks!

In the beginning of your relationship it was the feelings of love that kept you thinking about your partner. Thirty years down the road however, it’s the decision to love that keeps you from taking your spouse for granted. Love requires thoughtfulness from both parties on a regular basis. Sometimes we forget.

Humility is what keeps you from being offended when your partner forgets. Have you noticed that when you’re angry at someone, it’s because they weren’t thinking about your happiness? Does that embarrass you? How can it not?

YOU weren’t thinking about MY comfort! Why weren’t you thinking about what makes ME happy? It’s your job to be thinking about ME?

Does it embarrass you? Surely it must!

In reality it’s MY job to be thoughtful of your needs. It is not my job to keep track of whether you are thoughtful of me and my needs. Love does not keep track of those kinds of things.

“My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.” Galatians 5:13-18

Isaiah 66:2 - This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

THIS is love!