Extravagance

I’m still pondering the human need for comfort, control, and power. Here are more thoughts…

WHY THOSE TEMPTATIONS?
Why was Jesus tempted like He was in the desert? Why comfort, control, and power? I think that they are the outward symptoms of a “cancer” we all suffer from. Allow me put on a scientific hat for a moment…

If you look at our human desire for comfort, control, and power under a microscope, you’ll see they are made of cells called fear and pride. If you use a higher powered lens to look closely at the cells, you’ll see that fear and pride are made up of tiny molecules of distrust of God.

In the simplest of terms, we do not trust ourselves completely to God. If you’re human, you can’t avoid this. It was wired into our DNA the moment God gave us free-will. Distrust of God is what drove Eve to put the fruit to her lips. She was tempted by power and control and didn’t rebuke them with her trust in God like Jesus did.

God promises He has the perfect plan and purpose for our lives. He says He will provide every need to do His Will because He loves us beyond our comprehension. He promises us if we trust and follow Him, He will lead us into abundant life.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20

What’s inherent in those promises is that this abundant life will probably look different than what we’re envisioning for ourselves. Chances are, God’s dream for our life won’t like exactly like the “American Dream”. Yet, God promises it will be better and more fulfilling.

What if the abundant life God promises is different from own life goals? What if what God wants to do through us, by HIS power at work within us, is the extravagance God wants to lavish on us? What if our need for comfort, control, and power is actually costing us the abundant life God promises?

“[ Wake Up from Your Sleep ] 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.” Ephesians 5:1 The Message

(More on fear and pride to come…)