Fools Rush In

Have you ever heard the saying, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"? Did you realize that this idiom is based on Scripture. No lie. Chan titles his first chapter in Crazy Love "Stop Praying." Are you confused? So was I, but that phrase makes a statement that entices the reader to well, read further. So I did. By the second sentence I realize that Chan was admonishing me to stop praying at God. My God is holy & awesome--why do I dare to foolishly barge in where even the angels cover their faces?

After sharing a stunning presentation of how infinitely vast our universe is, Chan asks why God created such an infinite place that His masterpiece creation (that's you & I) can never truly grasp. "Do you think maybe it was to make us say, "Wow, God is unfathombly big"? Or perhaps God wanted us to see thes pictures so that our response would be, "Who do I think I am?" (26). Give you a hint, go with the second choice. Who am I compared to a God that can hold the entire univers in the palm of His hand? (Psalm 8:3-4) Go ahead, look at the palm of your hand; infinite time and space fits in the space between God's thumb & pinkie finger. And I'll bet He has room enough to spare.

As if that picture of God doesn't blow your mind, Chan reminds us how creative our God is. Every snowflake is infinitely unique to the others it accompanies to the earth. God knows every hair on my head & has a special name for every star in the sky. The illustration that got me? "God didn't have to creat so many kinds of laughter. Think about the different sounds of your friend's laughts--wheezes, snorts, silent, loud obnoxious" (27). Anyone who knows me knows that my laugh (or laughs) definetly showcase God's extensive creativity! Mankind is God's masterpiece. (Psalm 139) He created us to glorify Himself. The problem is, we forget.

Chan closes the chapter by giving short explainations of a few of God's characteristics: God is holy, eternal, all-knowing (omniscient), all-powerful (omnipotent), fair, & just (30-34). Chan takes us directly into God's throne room when he references Revelation 4 & Isaiah 6. John & Isaiah saw God & lived. Does that mean anything to you?

As I finished the chapter & answered some rather soul-searching questions in  the workbook I realized something. I've been a fool. All too often I've rushed into the throne room of God, not caring about who He is or being affected by His awesome power, no, I ran in head & hands uplifted expecting God to give me what I wanted. Sad.

Before you leave this post & set out to complete your TO DO list for today, I ask that you take 15 minutes to watch the video below. Just sit back & think about the God who not only created you, but also loved you enough "to give Himself a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45).

Crazy Love: Preface

Chan, like any great author, grabbed my attention with the first line of his text. And he can't truly take the credit. Chan introduces the thesis of his book with a quote made by Francois Fenelon in The Seeking Heart, "To just read the Bible, attend church, & avoid "big" sins--is this passionate, wholehearted love for God?" Great question--a question that drives home: is my love for God defined by such temporal things & limited to ministry without purpose?

Chan continues his presentation by reading my mind. Literally. He voices the thoughts & concerns I've had for years. The Americanized Christianity that I witness everyday can't be the same faith that the disciples & early church gave their lives for. We modern Christians are faithless & selfish beings. Somewhere in the last two millennia, we've lost focus & crammed a mighty, infinite God into a genie bottle that we pull out on weekends or during tough times.

New York Times' bestseller list tells me that Chan hit the nail on the head when he wrote Crazy Love, but somehow I feel that God led Chan to write this book just for me. I do "want more Jesus." I am bored with selfish, American Christianity. I don't want to plateau & I do believe I would die before I forsake my God-given convictions (21). If New York Times is right & Chan's book is what our society needs, then why haven't we seen a radical change since the book was published in 2008? Because we have yet to truly start Living Crazy Love.

Chan states that "The core problem isn't the fact that we're lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way, & it is because we have an inaccurate view of God" (22). Did you catch that? While we can be classified as halfhearted, lukewarm, stagnant Christians, we don't need more vitality, zeal, & commotion. We do need a proper view of God. Chan isn't saying that Christians aren't falling into those categories (at least, I don't think he is), he is pointing out the root problem of those characteristics: an improper view of Christ. And I agree. And yet, I am guilty.  Remember, "God never had an identity crisis. He knows that He's great & deserves to be the center of our lives. . . . He commands everything from His followers" (22). Christ didn't save me because I was going to be some great benefit to his plan, but the mentality that God needs me is exactly the mindset that has gotten American Christianity where it is today: nowhere.

You & I have a choice to make & I can't say it any better than Chan. Our choice is "to adjust how you live daily or to stay the same" (23). For me, staying the same just isn't an option. What about you?

Crazy Love

For the past year or so I've heard people rave about Crazy Love by Francis Chan. As one who is generally cautious about any book I read, I am especially cautious when selecting a book about my Christian walk. I stick with the authors I know: Eric & Leslie Ludy, Elizabeth George, Joni Eareckson Tada, Max & Jenna Lucado, Joshua Harris, & Cary Schmidt (to name a few). Even this short list was based on recommendations from trusted family & friends. So, I have to admit that when I saw that New York Times had listed Crazy Love as a bestseller, red flags went up & I became more cautious than ever. I mean, Times isn't exactly known for its God-centered point of view.

But Crazy Love kept popping up. After recommendations from several trusted friends, I finally caved to the peer pressure & told Mom I'd be interested in reading Chan's 2008 publication. Guess what I unwrapped Christmas morning? Crazy Love & Living Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

Throughout the next several posts (as long as I can stay on top of reading & posting to you) I'll be discussing what I am learning about being "overwhelmed by a relentless God." It's time to pick up your own copy of Crazy Love & read on.