Loving Extravagantly

I’m currently reading a stack of novels about the lives of different missionaries. 

For the nonfiction selections in all my English classes, I use novels about the lives of missionaries. Since I was asked to teach sophomore English next year, I now have to find a non-fiction selection for the class. As I read through these novels about the lives of people who poured themselves out for Christ, I’m seeing many commonalities that they shared.

In each book I’ve read thus far, I see the Lord reaching out through these individuals into the filth of the world, placing no conditions on the love they offer. I see people giving habitual drunks a place to sleep for the night and giving prostitutes money for bread with no guarantee that they will use that money for food instead of pleasure. I see servants of God doing things that seem unwise, unconventional, and reckless. And as I read about their actions of extravagant love that seem akin to wine poured out on the ground and bread thrown to the wind, I hear Judas in my own heart cry out, “The perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor!” (Matt 26:9)

But in all of what may seem to me as impractical, unreasonable, and vain, I also see God working through these servants’ lives to bring grace, redemption, and deliverance in ways that we couldn’t dare dream. I see my own lack of trust in the Lord to do things His unconditional way — a way which often finds itself at odds with our practical way. And I see why Jesus said that at the time of the end, when “lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” (Matt 24:12)

O Lord, teach us how to minister Your way— to trust “unconditional”, to embrace “impractical”, to love extravagantly regardless of return— to be lives poured out onto the ground. 

(John 12:24) Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

(2 Tim 4:5-7) But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

(Jer 31:3) The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

(John 3:16,17) For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

(John 13:34,35) A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.