1 John 3:1 - "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

What profound words these are. And how wonderful they are to the redeemed soul.

Yesterday, our sermon focused on the immense, "crazy love" God has for us who He has called His own. As we opened up the Scriptures, my pastor called me to notice the word "lavished."

Lavished. Lavished! Lavished? Has an interesting, yet inviting sound to it. And God has done this to us. Lavished - what does it mean to be lavished?

I love words, so I'm gonna let the dictionary do it's job. Lavish - to expend or give in great amounts or without limit. Wow! As we are made God's children, He pours out without limit His love for us. We are loved by the God of the Universe! WE ARE LOVED BY THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE!!! WOW!

In Jesus Christ alone will I glory! It is only and all because of Him that I am loved. I know love only because He gave His life for me and for us! How richly we are blessed! How deep the Father's love!

And with that, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14a) Yesterday, it also occurred to me as to what being "fearfully made" means. When I look at the gift I have been given with a body, I am to stand in awe of God for the magnificence of what He can do. I am made to fear Him, but moreso, I am made to praise Him and give Him the reverence He is due. He is my Maker - and because He loved me so infinitely, He created me for this moment and time in life. God blows my mind.

Yet, I give Him leftovers of my life. My pastor asked us why that is so. Think about it - is God the source of your every thought? Is He the One that infests your mind? Why not?

I don't want to live a life that only gives God the leftovers - the pieces that are too hard for me. That's not what He wants. He wants my all. I want Him to have my all.

How about you?

Brandon