When I was a little boy I would come bounding down the stairs and yell “Dad!” just before jumping mid-staircase into my dad’s arms. Sometimes I would call out to him mid-flight and surprise him but he always caught me. I knew I was loved. I knew I was safe in his arms.

In Ephesians 5, Paul encourages us to “follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
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Because we are known and loved, we know that we are safe to take risk and sacrifice. These days I still jump off the staircase, but it’s a metaphor and much more risky. I take leaps of faith and trust my Heavenly Father with my marriage, my children, my job, my finances. And God catches me every time.

God’s safe, loving arms have also given you courage to walk in the way of love and give sacrificially. Your love and generosity has brought the hope of Jesus to people in remote villages that had never heard before. You have empowered orphans and children and families through education and small business loans that have changed their lives forever. Your love is truly “a love marked by giving, not getting.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:25b‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

May we find security as God’s dearly loved children to take risks and sacrifices for Him and others with a love marked by giving.