I Won't Watch

"Do you want to make an impact on your world" (Chan, Living Crazy Love 25)? If your answer is no, then I'll assume that you are either dead or lying. Who doesn't want to be remembered, even if just my the intimate world they live in?

We all do little things to impact the world around us. We give our time to open doors for strangers or help in a Sunday School class or youth outreach. We give our cast-off clothing to the thrift store down the street--you know, the one who donates a portion of their funds to Boys and Girls Clubs or disabled veterans. Sometimes we even give of our money to support some cause.

Me? I'm no different. I work with the youth at my church, donate clothes to that thrift store, and give my money to missionaries, evangelists, and yes, charities. In fact, I recently bought a watch from IWon'tWatch.com to support the youth conference I worked at in college (you can too--just message me for details).

But in doing all those things, am I really impacting my world? Chan askes two soul-searching questions, "What keeps you from pursuing greatness? What holds you back from seeking everything God wants for you and is calling you to do" (26)? Are you simply distracted or are you afraid of what Christ might ask you to do? At times in my life, I have been both distracted and afraid, but I don't have to be. Jeremiah 29:11 tells me that God's plans for my life far exceed my greatest plans for my future. I don't have to be afraid--"we have to remember that we're not in control of our lives. We are absolutely dependent on God. We have a responsibility to act and obey God, but we're not going to change the world on our own by simply trying harder" (29). It's that last phrase that gets me--I can't change the world by simply adding more effort. I must be dependent on God.

I don't want to just watch the world go by--I want to act! But in my actions I must remember that "this world is about God" not me (31).

Live your life without regret. Live consumed by crazy love.