Lavished

Cheyenne Lake Suite, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, CO.

Sitting in the beautiful suite, surrounded by luxury I can not afford and did not earn, I marvel. Just one day prior, my stomach in knots, constantly breathing deeply, placing my trust in Christ as I ventured far from home and away from my family. And then I am shown to my accommodation: a suite on Lake Cheyenne. Seriously God?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as (God) chose us in (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love (God) predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has blessed us in the Beloved (Christ). In (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of (God's) grace, which He lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things to Him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In (Christ) we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of (God) who works all things according to the counsel of His will… Ephesians 1:3-11

Picture it. God, Creator, Father, before the creation of the world, having a strategic planning meeting (isn't that what we'd call it today?) with His Son and the Holy Spirit. And they create: "Let's make this big! Let's create beings like us. Let's make Becky, Joe, Kathy…. And they're going to have a problem because they won't be exactly like us, they won't be perfect. And then We'll be the Hero. We'll offer to save _(your name)_ and they'll have to accept Our offer. (Like a Hollywood epic where the hero extends a hand to the distressed hanging on the side of the sky scraper.) The distressed is totally unable to save himself. And the hero, Christ will extend His hand because He's strong, rich and powerful."

Forgive my imagination, this may be a far leap from actuality. But the truth is, before creation God chose us. He made a plan to swoop in and save us, the distressed. Because He had more than enough resources to go around (He's rich) and He wanted to give us a gift, His saving grace. But He didn't stop there. After we are saved from the life-or-death situation, He lavishes us with gifts. We are made holy, blameless, an heir to the kingdom, daughters and sons, and offered everything we need for a rich, full and meaningful life. 

Surrounded by earthly luxury, I understand: God is this extravagant! And I did not deserve it. Because of His undeserved gift, He blessed me. I am so undeserving. He's given me understanding of His mystery of salvation, Jesus as my scapegoat, an inheritance (adopted me as His daughter) and I am His praise and glory. Me?

And then He says, ask for more! I have it to give:

• a spirit of wisdom 
• revelation in knowing Him
• enlightened mind so that I understand:

• my hope

• my inheritance

• the power available to me. (Ephesians 1:17-19)

This is my God! In my distress, He offers me His hand and I have accepted. Then He gives me more. I could have declined His gift, just as I could have chosen to leave the suite and head home on the first flight back to MSP, but similar to His grace, I am shown extreme generosity. And I accept. Is this your God? Accept His gift today.