THURSDAY

1 John 3:1-3

“Would you look at that!?” What is it that we are trying to communicate when we make an exclamation like that? “Who would have seen that coming?” “I was not expecting that!” “Wow, that is amazing!” “That just blows me away!” One thing is for sure, when we hear things like this, someone is trying to get our attention so we can see something that they don’t want us to miss! In the Scripture passage for today, that is how John begins. “Look at this! Do you see it! Look at the kind of love that God has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!” Lavished! A word that not only conjures up generosity, but also extravagance! Have you ever been the recipient of extravagance? Have you ever had anyone lavish something upon you? Even if we have not experienced those things from another human being, John is telling us that this is still a reality for us, if we are willing to embrace it. For God has lavished this kind of love on us! “Look at it!” John says. We often don’t know what to do with this. We both resist it, and yet at the same time, long for it. We object to it. “We are not worthy,” we say. But Jesus made a huge investment in us. “We have not earned it,” we say. And God wonders where we ever got the idea that sonship was for sale? “But we’re sinful!” And we should wonder what kind of parent would turn away from or reject a child because they were sick? Certainly not the heavenly Father that Jesus came to reveal. And in the midst of all of the resistance, we hear the voice of John saying, “Would you just look, for heaven’s sake!” Literally. It is so amazing, John says, we don’t even know all the implications, except that we’re going to get to be like Jesus, the one who loves us like this! And this is the hope that changes us! As you continue to reflect on this passage, here are a few things to think about:

• How comfortable are you with being loved the way John says we are loved? What makes it either easier or harder for you to embrace this?

• To what extent do our children, or those entrusted to our care, live in the awareness that they are loved by God in this way? What has made it easier or harder for them to know this?

• What holds us back from fully embracing all that John invites us to see here in our own lives?

• What holds us back from fully embracing all that John invites us to see here in terms of how we relate to others?

• What are some ways that I can more intentionally turn my eyes toward what John is inviting me to see this week? Are you willing to set aside some time to simply do this? To invite someone to look with you?

Take a few moments to share with God in prayer what is on your mind and heart as you reflect on all this.