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?

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.