Expansive: A 5-Day Plan to Break Free From Scarcity and Embrace God’s Abundanceਨਮੂਨਾ

I remember the moment that I arrived in San Francisco. Behind me lay the lush green fields and quaint cobbled streets of my youth, memories of growing up in the beautiful English countryside. As I drove into the downtown of this major city, the first eighteen years of my life felt like a distant dream. I was completely taken aback. I’d never seen streets like these—endless stretches of cement. Soup kitchens with long lines. Unhoused individuals huddled in doorways and corners. Graffiti-covered buildings that told stories of struggle. I knew God had called me here, but I was scared. This was all so different. I had no life experience that would prepare me for living and serving in the inner city. I felt that inadequacy every moment of every day. And yet here I was.

I had no idea then that this city—so unfamiliar and overwhelming—would become the place where I began to glimpse how wide and all-encompassing God’s mission really is: a mission to reach every person, in every place, with His love.

One of the most potent passages in scripture is found in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV)

Jesus clearly states his purpose for coming to earth—to bring humanity a full life. What a promise! Imagine being a first-century follower of Jesus, hearing that for the first time. Jesus didn’t come to smite or punish or reject, but he arrived on the scene with hope for life. And not just life, but full life. In the Greek those words translate to superabundant, meaning Jesus didn’t come to just provide a bare minimum. He isn’t interested in existence that is merely adequate or sufficient. His mission has always been overflow—life that spills over with grace, purpose, and redemption. This is the promise that a broken, hurting world still needs today.

In Matthew 28, Jesus instructs His disciples to go into all the world in what is commonly known as the Great Commission. These are His parting words, His final commission, giving His people a vision for an expansive mission—the entire world. What started as a word to Abraham that would establish a people set apart for God, became a vision for everyone to experience full life. No matter their background, story, or place of origin, God’s heart was, and still is, to draw all people to Himself.

If we are not intentional, it’s easy to miss this divine charge. Without careful attention, we can live in a bubble of ease—assuming that surely God loves the people we already love, right? Surely our community is His priority or the natural focus of His mission and affection. Or perhaps we think there are some people beyond the reach of His grace—too far gone, too different, too insignificant to be included in the story God is telling. Perhaps we don’t say that out loud, but we live it with our actions.

If we are to live faithful, kingdom focused lives, we must return to the generosity, extravagance and expansiveness of God—He is not one to withhold or play favorites. God is on a mission. It’s radical, at times seemingly reckless because it’s so unyielding in its grace and pursuit of everyone. Full life was purchased by His blood for everyone.

In a world of division and scarcity, now more than ever, the church shines brightest when we remember this truth and we live like it’s true—when we advocate for the poor, fight for the oppressed, love and receive those on the margins, and draw them into an experience of God’s vast affection. How could we be anything less than extravagant in our mission to reach the world? After all, haven’t we all been recipients of the relentless pursuit of God? Thank goodness there was no limit to what God would do to bring us into His family.

I invite you to ask the Lord today, where is your opportunity to live and love extravagantly? Who in your world needs to experience radical grace or lavish mercy? How can you continue to be an extension of His expansive heart for the world?

I’ve lived in San Francisco for almost three decades, and time and again, I’ve learned that every time I reach out beyond what is comfortable, give generously or serve sacrificially, I have not only received more back in return, I have continued to be humbled that God went first. He sought us first. Loved us first. We are simply joining in the redemption arc of scripture–God will go to any lengths to restore, deliver and redeem. What an honor to participate in his extravagant mission for all to experience abundant life.

Prayer

God, thank You for going first. You have loved me for all time and pursued me without restraint. As I bask in that great love and affection, stir my heart to be a radical messenger of it to the world around me. May I live with a deep connection to the abundance that has been entrusted to me, and may I go beyond what is comfortable to bring that to a broken, desperate world.

Amen.