Bethel Music - Extravagant Lyrics
Lyrics
You were a lover before time's beginning
You gave You love freely, withholding nothing
Jesus, my Jesus
You carried the weight of the world on Your shoulders
You stopped at nothing to prove You were for us
Jesus, my Jesus
It's extravagant
It doesn't make sense
We'll never comprehend
The way You love us
Its unthinkable
Only heaven knows
Just how far You'd go
To say You love us
You don't belittle our pain and our suffering
You comfort us in our greatest unraveling
Jesus, my Jesus
You are the dawn that is breaking within me
You are the sun that is rising around me
Jesus, my Jesus
It's extravagant
It doesn't make sense
We'll never comprehend
The way You love us
Its unthinkable
Only heaven knows
Just how far You'd go
To say You love us
Here is my love
It's Yours, no conditions
When you pull me close
I won't resist it
It's extravagant
It doesn't make sense
We'll never comprehend
The way You love us
Its unthinkable
Only heaven knows
Just how far You'd go
To say You love us
Video
Extravagant (Lyric Video) - Steffany Gretzinger + Amanda Cook | Starlight
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on April 7, 2017, as part of Bethel Music’s *Starlight* album, the song "Extravagant" immediately struck a chord with its bold declaration of divine affection, delivered with the signature spiritual depth brought by Steffany Gretzinger and Amanda Cook. This track isn't just a musical piece; it's an immersion into a biblical truth that often feels too good to be true: that God's love for us is far beyond what we can comprehend or earn. The song centers on the idea that the Creator of the universe sees, pursues, and cherishes humanity not based on merit or perfection, but with a lavish, overflowing, and yes, *extravagant* love that defies logic and human experience. It speaks to a love that crosses oceans and climbs mountains, a powerful metaphor for God's relentless pursuit demonstrated throughout Scripture, from His calling of individuals like Abraham to His sending of His Son Jesus Christ into a world that rejected Him.
The profound message of "Extravagant" finds deep roots in the very nature of God as revealed in the Bible. It echoes passages like Ephesians 2:4-5, which speaks of God being "rich in mercy" and making us alive with Christ "because of the great love with which he loved us." This isn't just a casual liking or a conditional approval; it's a love so abundant that it overflows into salvation and grace. Similarly, 1 John 4:8 declares that "God is love," implying that love is not merely something God *does*, but who He *is*. The song captures this intrinsic nature, portraying a divine being whose essence is generous, bountiful, and intensely personal towards each individual. It calls to mind the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15, where the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one, an image of a love so focused and determined it seems disproportionate by worldly standards – truly extravagant. This divine perspective contrasts sharply with our often performance-driven human relationships and religious inclinations, inviting us instead into the simple, overwhelming truth of being infinitely valued.
Musically, "Extravagant" beautifully complements its theological weight with a soundscape that evokes wonder and surrender. The collaboration between Steffany Gretzinger's unique, raw delivery and Amanda Cook's pure, soaring vocals creates a dynamic that feels both intimately personal and expansively awe-filled. The production builds gradually, starting with tender, introspective moments that feel like a quiet revelation, before opening up into larger, more atmospheric arrangements. This musical progression mirrors the dawning realization of God's immense love – it starts as a whispered truth in the heart and grows into a glorious, overwhelming chorus of adoration. The absence of harsh edges or forced intensity allows the message to breathe, letting the sheer weight of God's love land gently yet powerfully on the spirit. The instruments and vocals together craft an atmosphere of reverence and embrace, making it easy for one to step into a posture of worship, acknowledging the magnitude of grace described in Titus 3:4-7, where God's kindness and love appeared and saved us, not because of works, but according to His mercy. The song serves as a musical reminder of the ultimate act of extravagance described in John 3:16: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.
Ultimately, "Extravagant" serves as an invitation to fully receive a love that transcends human limitations and expectations. It challenges the notion that we must clean ourselves up or measure up to be worthy of God's attention, instead pointing to a love that meets us in our mess and calls us precious. The song encourages us to meditate on the truth of Romans 5:8, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, the ultimate expression of a love that gives its all. By repeatedly emphasizing this theme of overwhelming, unearned love, the song calls forth a response of humble adoration and gratitude. It's more than just a catchy tune; it's a worshipful meditation on the character of God, designed to draw us into a deeper understanding and experience of His boundless affection, compelling us to respond with our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual act of worship, as described in Romans 12:1. It’s a song that helps us glimpse, if only partially, the immeasurable riches of His grace spoken of in Ephesians 1:7-8, leaving us simply captivated by His extravagance.