This past Sunday, as we gathered in worship, we began to sing the song Reckless Love (written by Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver, Ran Jackson– lyrics below). As the song began, i was put off by the word “Reckless”. How could we ever feign to describe the One who designed and created all the intricacies of time and space, the physical and the spiritual, even the wonders and beauties of His creation, as reckless?  The very word “reckless” is defined as an adjective used to describe “a person or their actions, as being without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action.” Synonyms of the word include: “rash, careless, thoughtless, hasty, overhasty, impetuous, andimpulsive”. None of those are words i would use to describe our Heavenly Father. Everything He does has purpose! Everything He does leads to His glory! There isn’t an impetuous, impulsive or thoughtless “bone” in His “body”. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows every detail about each and every one of us. The Bible tells us that He knows us down to the very hairs of our head (Matthew 10:30) – granted for some us that is less of a challenge than others! But that’s not recklessness, that’s attentiveness. 

Instead of reckless, i would use the opposite words of “thoughtful, wise, responsible,” etc. to describe our Sovereign and Almighty God, and/or any of His actions! And His love is unfathomable. How could anyone describe Him as uncaring? He loves me so much that He sacrificed His One and Only Son by sending Him to this earth to pay the price for my sin through a violent death on the cross. That’s not “reckless”, that is a love that is “patient and kind; [that does} not envy or boast; {nor is it} arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.{It is a love that}bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.{It is a love that}never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV). 

In the middle of the song, i began to become overwhelmed by the breadth, depth and magnitude of the Father’s love for me. i was reminded that His love is truly beyond anything that i can comprehend. His love defies my understanding. His love has no end. There is not anything i could ever do to earn it. There is not anything i could ever do to lose it. i don’t deserve it. He lovingly tore down the wall that stood between me and Him – not a wall of His making, but of mine. 

As i pondered His love, i couldn’t help but consider my own love – my love for Him, for my wife and my family – even my love for those around me. i most definitely wouldn’t describe my love as “reckless”. My love is measured. It is carefully extended. Too often, it is earned. i’m ashamed to admit that it can easily be lost – by a hurtful word or action. It can be fickle – here today and gone tomorrow. The expression of my love can ebb and flow based upon my mood – or my circumstance – or the “lovingliness” of the other person. Apart from the Spirit of God within me, there is nothing about my love that aligns with 1 Corinthians 13.

And then it hit me, God’s love truly is reckless. He puts His love out there to be rejected. Though i walked away from Him, He pursued me. He never gave up on me in the past. And He won’t give up on me in the future. He even tears down the lie of my self-talk that says i am beyond His ability – or my worthiness – to be loved. i can’t earn His love, and i sure don’t deserve it. There’s nothing that can overshadow His love, and there is no mountain that He won’t tear down to reach me. 

Thank You, Father, for loving me recklessly. Help me to love You – and those around me – with that same reckless love!

Lyrics to Reckless Love, written by Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver, Ran Jackson

© 2017 Bethel Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Watershed Publishing Group (ASCAP) (administered by Watershed Music Group) / Richmond Park Publishing (BMI). All Rights Reserved.

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me

And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah