For more than a year, sixty-nine-year-old Brenda Jones waited on the donor list for a new liver. As the calendar inched forward, she worried that her transplant might not occur in time. When Brenda received news that she was next in line for one, however, she was elated. But then she learned of another woman, only twenty-three, who was clinging to life and had only hours to live. Without knowing what the decision might cost her, Brenda surrendered her spot. “I wouldn’t have been able to live with the liver,” Brenda said, “if I had let this little girl die.” Thankfully, the hospital found another donor for Brenda, and both women received what they needed.

Whenever we encounter someone offering a gift that flagrantly discards self-interest, a gift that appears reckless or foolish, we marvel. This is why the ultimate story of wild generosity—Jesus surrendering His life for the very people who murdered Him and pouring out abundant forgiveness over us though we had nothing to offer in return—stuns us. We can’t fathom such uncalculated big-heartedness. 

Even more bewildering, we hear Jesus repeatedly encourage us to follow Him, to live as He lived. Throughout Scripture, we’re called to humbly surrender our life for others, like Jesus (Philippians 2:1–11). We’re called to love with generosity, like Jesus (John 15:9–17). These invitations may require us to give time we don’t have or money we can’t spare. It may mean surrendering our reputation or our expectations for how our life should unfold. It may look impossible, but whenever we gather our courage and follow Jesus, we’ll find ourselves stepping into a wild, generous life. 

Winn Collier, Our Daily Bread author

Our Daily Bread Ministries in Indonesia is supported by the freewill offering of individuals in Indonesia, who through their gifts enable us to continue to bring the life-changing wisdom of the Bible to many here. We are not funded by any church or organisation.

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