[along with Him]

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things."    [Romans 8:32]

"Along with him." That's the line that got me yesterday. God gave up what mattered most to Him. Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate gift. His victory - the ultimate triumph. He is the all. And we need nothing more because of it. But truth is, God didn't stop there. "Along with Him" God gives even more.

Erasing our debt wasn't enough. He also fills our savings accounts, or at least he did mine the last few weeks with:

• Safe travels during the first major snowstorm of the year.
• Fun, rich, meaningful family time at Christmas.
• Real-person time after endless Skype dates and phone calls with a man who's becoming my best friend.
• Endless Christmas foods to enjoy and savor.
• Sunsets against snowy landscapes.
• Seeing God's Spirit at work in an unbeliever's life.
• Laughter about nothing at all.

Jesus' death and resurrection gave us all we'll ever need. Yet "along with Him" God goes beyond the cross to bless us richly in ways we may never recognize or thank Him for. Health, relationships, basic needs, success, joy, fulfillment, riches, opportunities, etc. are grace, not required gifts from God.

For me, it's powerful to mediate on that and the fact that God gave His Son graciously, willingly, sacrificially, with joy despite the pain and for the sake of the world. Yet He didn't stop there in blessing us all.

Now as His follower, as His disciple, as one who has reaped the fruits of His generosity, you and I are to do likewise. Because we have all we need in Easter. And it's Him.