I am a finite being, with a lot of limitations. Thus, when I love, I often love with limits and with a lot of conditions. God is an infinite being and therefore he loves with no limits and no conditions. I can see a glimpse of who and what God is by immersing myself in nature. Nature is so prodigious in its resources almost to the point of being prodigal. Imagine a swarm of flamingos or even just locusts darkening the sky by their sheer numbers; or a horde of buffaloes thundering across the prairies or zebras across the Serengeti. Such generous outpouring of life. And nothing ever gets wasted. Everything eventually ends up being used up in some life cycle. Everything from the biggest to the smallest is caught up in the wonderful cycle of life and existence. And because he is infinite, God loves everyone and everything in his creation with the same infinite, limitless, unconditional love.
This thought fills me with a great sense of humility, gratitude and love. But it can be a thin line separating this great insight from hubris. Yes, I mean the world to God but let not that thought make me act like I were all-important and meant to always have my way. Or, that nothing of consequence would happen unless I am involved. Or, that the world needs my permission before it can proceed. Let me instead relish in humble gratitude that I am loved in an infinite, unconditional way. Like everyone else and everything else in creation.
Jesus said to his disciples: “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14