Overwhelming Generosity

Have you ever been the recipient of an unexpected gift?
​Or a surprise act of service or generosity?
 
In my experience, these can be hard to receive. They catch us off guard, make us feel uncomfortable. We don’t feel worthy. We don’t feel like it is deserved. We contemplate underlying motivations. We worry about returning the favor. Yet this is the very reason such surprises are called just that—a gift.  
 
Even though we have heard for years and served with the Lord’s church, I wonder how many of us, or those around us, struggle with accepting the free gift of salvation in Jesus.  For what reasons? My sin is too severe for God to love me. My hidden shortcomings are too extreme.  I can never be good enough to make God happy. I lack contentment when I look at those around me. I don’t know as much about the Bible as others. I fail to lift others up in prayer. I’m too tired to serve like I used to. I don’t go (or want to go) to church as much as I should. My children or grandchildren have stopped going to church. There is discord amongst my family.
 
Whatever the reason, God has a definitive retort, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38-39)
 
We are loved by God. YOU are loved by God. Unconditionally. Unequivocally.  All the time. No strings attached. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord beautifully declares, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (31:5)  We are loved with His eternal and everlasting love. No matter our age and in spite of our deficiencies, God’s grace abides in us. As Christians, we understand that this is absolutely not because we deserve it or because we have earned it with our good works or profound piety. God’s love is a gift.  Sometimes, and especially this time, we simply need to sit back and rejoice in the generosity given to us. As we continue on in this season of growth and new life, give thanks for the gift of Jesus.  Rejoice and be glad. We are loved by God! 😊