Extravagant Love to imitate!

^1-2"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that." (Eph 5:1&2 - Message Bible)  Just as children copy their parents, we can copy the love that God has for us and show it to others. 

I was at a very low period in my life.  I had just been terminated from a 15 year very successful job.  I was making the most money I had ever made in my life and living in a penthouse-like condo by the water with a view of the City.  I thought I had made it forever.  I had a year to adjust my standard of living but I just couldn't seem to do it.  After 10 months I was stuck in my material stuff.  How could I give it all up?  What would happen to me?  Then it seemed like I heard God say to me: "Have I ever let you down?"  I had to cry out, "No Lord, you have never let me down, ever!"  The answer came back, "Then why would I start now?" 

Almost 10 years later I can say that even though I struggled through disbelief at times, the way was really smooth before me.  God's love surrounded me and kept me first in the desert of Palm Springs and then with my family in a little town in South Central Pennsylvania called Shippensburg.  So now I must pour out this extravagant love to others who need to hear God's word: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb 13:5)  In this scripture the writer is saying, "Don't depend upon material things.  I will take care of you."  I can attest to the truth of this.  He never left me, not once, and always took care of me.

You can have this same assurance in your life.  Rest in the extravagant love of God!