Define 'life'

In Pixar's movie "Wall-E" the captain of the Axiom inceasantly asks the computer to define terms affiliated with earth--his home planet and yet a planet he had never seen. You hear the computer's textbook replies to his statements "Define 'earth'. Define 'dancing'. Define 'pizza'." In the second chapter of Crazy Love Francis Chan says, "Define 'life'."

James 4:14 says, "Whereas ye know not what life shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Chan notest that "on the average day, we live caught up to ourselves. On the average day, we don't consider God very much. On the average day, we forget that our life truly is a vapor" (39). True, isn't it? I don't generally think about God in every waking minute. There are even things I convince myself are too small to bother God with. "But there is nothing normal about today" (39). Did you catch that? Nothing. Every day I live is a gift from God.

Do you ever justify your actions? I know I do (take a peek into my real life by clicking the "Write On" link at the top of the page), but am I really justified in my justifications? Chan seemingly describes me when he mentions his false belief of dividing the world into natural worriers and natural joyful people. Do you really believe God would do that? Like He drew me out of a hat and said, "This one's going into the "Worrier" bin." Of course He didn't--quiet the contrary. He commands, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again, I say rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). "When I am consumed by my problems . . . I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice" (41). Although I read these words weeks ago, they are still true. I never have the right to disobey. My God is BIGGER than my circumstances.

"Why are we so quick to forget God? Who do we think we are" (42)? I hate to continue quoting Chan, but he writes so well--"Even though I glimpse God's holiness, I am still dumb enough to forgeth that life is all about God and not about me at all" (42). My Bible study group has been discussing the same things: my God is bigger than my circumstances and this life isn't abou me at all. Funny how God uses a variety of venues and texts to teach us the same thing . . .

As Chan so boldly and plainly states, it's time to "get over yourself" (44). Your life is to be defined by God. "He is everything" (51).