The Greatest Good

What would you consider to be the greatest good in your life? Take your time and think.

Truly, "The greatest good on this earth is God. Period. God's one goal for us is Himself" (Crazy Love, 62), but we usually replace God with all of his stuff. So often we live as if the greatest good in our lives were some attainable thing--financial security, academic success, marital bliss--but it's not. We love God out of duty and obligation, never thinking to return the crazy love He has for us.

Have you ever realized all the crazy things people do for love? "Love has a way of making even the most difficult tasks feel simple and joyful" (Living Crazy Love, 35)--tasks like making someone else the priority, sacrificing all you have, and realizing that love may not be returned. Our God has that kind of love for us and "our knowledge of God's love should penetrate to the core of our being" (36). Does living crazy love define and seep from you?

Romans 8:31-39 reminds us that "we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." You and I don't have to live in fear or defeat--God has given us the victory! To live in fear of my enemy, I am doubting and belittling the greatest good in my life. Chan puts it this way: "if God is the greatest good in the universe, if everything in this world comes from Him and is ultimately all about Him and His glory, then God's love for us means everything. . . . nothing matter more than God's love for us and our love for Him" (41). Is that true for you? Have you made God preeminent in your life? "Can you honestly say you believe that God is greater than any person, possession, career, or goal in the world" (41)?

If you can't, then I have a question for you. What would you consider to be the greatest good in your life? If "God is worthy of your complete devotion" [and He is] what do you need to do to prove that God is your greatest good?