Extravagant

The word extravagant has been floating around my brain the last few days. Here are some of its definitions. The first one is how I would use it normally - spending much more than is necessary or wise; wasteful: an extravagant shopper. The other two are more related to my thoughts this week - exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions
- going beyond what is deserved or justifiable

The synonyms go along the same path. Some describe irresponsibility - imprudent, spendthrift, prodigal. Others describe being over the top in a more positive light - excessive, unrestrained, fantastic, wild, absurd, preposterous.


I was at Bible study the other night and we were reading John 12.

"Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

Mary was extravagant here. Judas saw it as wasteful. I probably would have thought so too. Jesus saw it as wild, passionate, and fantastic. It was worship. The house was full of the fragrance. Someone mentioned that her hair would have carried that fragrance for some time, reminding her of her extravagance and His delight in her gift. It struck me that this is how God loves. People usually don't. He goes over the top and I want to see it when he does. I believe He showed me some of His extravagant gifts that night.

- Jared getting into the school of his dreams
- my time for the last month
- a friend's enjoying not working for the first time
- Nate's smile

Today I remembered a song by Casting Crowns about this same thing. It took me all day to remember enough words to look it up. I was blown away by the words that I had forgotten.
Another gift!

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place
Cause Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ
there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known;
You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again