Be Extravagant

Last week, Sardis lost a longtime member, William Kruger. On Sunday, I was trying to think of the best way to acknowledge William’s larger-than-life presence in our community. I told everyone that he challenged my theology, but in the best of ways.

I’ve always believed in a micro-gospel – the idea that little acts of kindness and hospitality have collective value; they become a chorus of love that eventually helps God’s world burst into the present. But William believed in a macro-gospel – he wanted to offer big, bold, boisterous, extravagant acts of kindness and hospitality. Let’s show the world God’s goodness right now! There’s no time to delay!

If there was a food drive, he’d clear Food Lion or Aldi clean out of canned hams, canned corn, or SpaghettiOs. If there was a reception to comfort a grieving family, you could be sure his platter of sandwiches or Hors d’ Oeuvres would rival that of the finest restaurant in town. If there was a presentation to be made, his eye wouldn’t miss any detail. And if he’d a been an original disciple, you can be sure Miss Mary would have received zero blowback, I mean ZERO, for her generous allotment of anointing oil.

In this Lenten season, one where we often talk about how much we should give up, or how we ought to stay SO serious, and SO removed from God’s banquet, in order that we might prepare ourselves for the overwhelming joy of resurrection, I am grateful for my friend William. William, it seems to me, lived in a post-resurrection world, where the joy and the presence of God in our lives demands an immediate, extravagant response: banquet-style hospitality to all we encounter.

In the coming days, may we open ourselves to both experiencing and sharing God’s extravagance. And just in case you wanted to know, $20 will buy more cans than you can carry, but not more than our donation bins will hold. We can thank William for the extra capacity!