Post-Christmas blues hit us around January when the credit card bills starting arriving from the post office.  A few of us experienced them early from the NSF notices from our bank.  It painfully reminds us that we over did it again this year.

The problem with Christmas expenses are that they come with very good intentions and feelings.  We want to display our love through the things we buy.  Somehow, new socks and underwear doesn’t say, “I love you”, to our children as much as an iPod or cellular phone.  Can you get away with buying Tupperware or vacuum bags for your Sweetie instead of the Macy’s outfit or Zales jewelry she’s been ogling the last couple of months?  I don’t think so!

Why is it that love – especially radical and passionate love – is always displayed in the gifts we give to the objects of our love?  The greater the love.  The greater the sacrifice for the gift.  This explains the bragging rights that come along with wedding rings.  Guys, it better say, “I love you” A LOT!!  Extravagant gift giving is almost a universal communication of love and affection.

The apostle Paul tells us that God displayed His toward us in this:  He gave His Son for us.  Wow!  THAT is an extravagant gift.  The apostle is so overjoyed by such a thought that He shouts on the page, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

As you move into this New Year, how have you displayed your love for God this past year?  Does it look like vacuum bags or fine jewelry?  Would it be described as being closer to new underwear and socks or an iPod?  If the Creator of the universe went out of this world to display His love for you, how can you return the affection this New Year?  Would you consider something extravagant or radical?

Larry Powell in his book, Blow the Silver Trumpets, tells the story of a missionary who preached in a remote, poverty ridden area in West Africa.  He appealed for support of Christian work throughout the area and encouraged those present to give what they could toward the construction of a building, which would serve as a medical clinic and a place of worship. 

Approximately two hours after the worship service, a young woman came to the missionary and presented him with $40 to be used for the building project.  The missionary was stunned.  Where on earth, he thought, did this woman come up with such a large sum of money in a region afflicted by painfully forbidding economic circumstances?

Confounded, he posed this question as politely as he knew how.  He was informed that she had gone to a wealthy planter and sold herself into his service for the rest of her life. Let us be clear about what I have just told you.  She had sold herself into the service of a landowner.  And why? This was her way of giving herself into the service of Jesus Christ.  Not partially, but totally.

That sounds like a radical price to pay doesn't it?  Pretty extravagant, huh?  Instead of asking yourself what you can get away with to show your love for your heavenly Father, why not ask how much can I sacrifice?  Perhaps it is in your personal worship, your commitment to prayer, or your service to others in His name. 

I’m not talking about just writing a larger check.  That is too easy for many of us.  I’m talking about giving your life away as a radical expression of your love and devotion to the One who saved you and called you.  If you truly want “to know Jesus and make Him known” then don’t offer gifts and sacrifices that cost you nothing.  Give Him something costly – a real gem.  Yourself.