Extravagant Love

“The gospel is absurd and the life 

of Jesus is meaningless unless 
we believe that He lived, died, and rose again 

with but one purpose in mind: 

to make brand-new creation. 

Not people with better morals 

but a community of prophets and 
professional lovers who would 

surrender to the mystery of the fire 

of the Spirit that burns within, 

who would live in ever greater fidelity 

to the omnipresent Word of God, 

who would enter into the center of it all, 

the very heart and mystery of Christ, 

into the center of the flame 

that consumes, purifies, and sets everything 

aglow with peace, joy, boldness, 

and extravagant, furious love...

what it really means to be a Christian.” 

The Furious Longing of God

Brennan Manning

The great challenge of this day

is that we settle for too little.

We worry our fire might appear

out of control and a bit too flame-y.

So we manage our embers

and wonder why we lack passion.

We talk about morality

and create communities of talkers.

It takes a death blow to our selves

to actually line up our mouths with our lives.

Oh, that we might embrace holiness and purity 

and love and peace and joy and courage.

Because He came that 

we might incarnate His life on this earth.

That we would be made a brand new creation,

becoming like Him in this world.

I want to live in ever increasing fidelity

to the omnipresent Word of God.

I want to be one whom He can share 

the mysteries and secrets of His heart.

I want to go deeper into the extravagant,

furious love of God.

We prove ourselves by our purity, 

our understanding, our patience, our kindness, 

by the Holy Spirit within us, 

and by our sincere love.

2 Corinthians 6:6