I have enjoyed watching all the videos being posted on social media, as thousands of people from countries around the world travel to the USA for the World Cup. They are taken aback by our culture; free refills on soft drinks at restaurants, shopping at a Costco, the sheer wonder of seeing a Buc-ees for the first time, Texas BBQ, and ranch dressing. I could scroll all day watching, smiling as I share their enthusiasm and knowing that I truly live in the greatest country in the world. But this morning I watched a video about a Japanese man experiencing a Mexican restaurant for the first time, and it held more significance than all the other videos I’ve seen. Japanese culture is very work oriented and hospitality is a debt. “Every gift creates an obligation, weighed carefully, returned in the proper season with interest of feeling. Here, the gift arrives before you’ve even proven you can pay for dinner. This is not an appetizer. This is a declaration; we trust you. Eat. I ate with the gravity the moment deserved. And then—I must report this calmly—the basket emptied, and a new one appeared. Did we…? Refill, the waiter said, it’s bottomless.”

This man from Japan was awe struck at the hospitality he received at this Mexican restaurant. He ate, understanding that he had not ordered the chips and salsa and that they were a gift. The wonder he experienced! The way the small basket of chips affected him. I ask you; do you see God in this story? I do! Now, I am not equating the vast riches of the love of God to a basket of chips at a Mexican restaurant. I am however, allowing the Spirit to point me to an infinite truth about the one and only, holy God of the universe. God’s love is unconditional, sacrificial, everlasting, and immeasurable.

God’s love his unconditional.
Our visitor didn’t earn the basket of chips that were provided to him at the table. He didn’t first go into the kitchen and wash some dirty dishes, or sweep up and clean tables, to earn a spot at the next table. No, he simply walked into the restaurant, and was presented with a basket of delicious chips and salsa. So too, we are given the unconditional love of God.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

While we were still sinners…It doesn’t say, after you’ve completed the application process and have submitted your references and list of good works. It says, while we were still sinners. Christ died for me and my sins, over 2,000 years before I was even born. I didn’t do anything to earn his love or to get to a place where I was acceptable to him! No! He died for me, knowing how many mistakes I would make and how many times I would fail.

God’s love is sacrificial.
God loves us so much. He knew we could never bridge the gap of sin, so he came and paid the price necessary to restore our relationship. Christ paid the price we owed. His mercy gave us forgiveness when we didn’t deserve it. His grace gave us life when we deserved death.

For God so love the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8

God’s love is everlasting.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jeremiah 3:13

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.”
C.S. Lewis

Many of us grew up feeling like we had to earn God’s love and if we messed up enough, God would wipe his hands of us and walk away. That is a lie from the enemy! God’s love is infinite. He showed us by the cross how far he is willing to go in order to save us from ourselves.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

God’s love is immeasurable.
When I was a little girl, I remember going to Crater Lake in Oregon. I thought the crater was bottomless. Of course if that were true, wouldn’t all the water drain out? But there is no bottom to God’s love. The bible continually reinforces the truth that God’s love is immeasurable.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.“
Lamentations 3:22-23

…may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:18-19

Where our Japanese visitor delighted in the wonders of endless chips and salsa, we can delight in the wonders of God’s endless love. His love is a gift to us, free and undeserved. It does not require anything from us to receive it, only that we accept. We will find no end to His love. His love cannot be measured or equated to anything we know or can imagine. The only requirement is that you accept His gift, submit your life and follow His word. In Him you will find peace that you could never imagine. I will close with a verse from an old hymn that I absolutely love. The imagery touches my soul.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every tree on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
-The Love of God by Frederick M Lehaman