Have you read Crazy Love
?
?The book Francis Chan wrote to beat us over the heads with the fact that we should be overwhelmed by a relentless GOD.
I read for the first time around Christmas and thought it was excellent.
Now, months later, our church is gearing up to start a small group study centered around Crazy Love.
. I’m really excited about the possibilities of the changes God could do in the hearts of our people through this book.
Kevin and I are going to be leading a young adults group,
and possibly taking our teens through it as well.
To prepare, I’ve decided to read the book over again.
Luckily this is the type of book that needs to be read.
Repeatedly.
As I got to the second chapter, the concepts starting hitting home.
A little too close to home.
Know what I mean?
“Justified Stress” was the title of the section.
Oh, great.
Just what I need to hear.
How terrible it is to be stressed and 99 ways to combat it.
Turns out, Chan’s words were exactly what I needed to hear.
Sure, it was a little (or rather large) kick in the pants.
But it was necessary.
I’ve been so overwhelmed lately.
So stressed.
Feeling so out of control.
Worry worry worry.
Chan’s definitions of worry and stress are shockingly accurate.
Worry implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.
Stress says taht the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others (who, me?!), or our tight grip of control.
I have known that worry is a sin.
In fact, it has always been my biggest area of sin.
“Do not worry about life“–yeah right.
That was one command I didn’t foresee myself being able to obey.
But what I hadn’t considered before was the devastating, embarrassing truth that worry isn’t the only sin I’m committing.
I am being totally and completely selfish.
As if, by some twist in the rules, I have “the right to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities.”
And not just that, but worry is an outright proclamation that I have forgotten about God.
Yes.
You read that right.
Forgotten about GOD.
Who do think I am?
Thinking “it’s okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff (it’s just stuff) in my life is somehow exceptional.
Both worry and stress reek of arrogance.
They declare our tendency to forget that we’ve been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won’t be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God’s strength, our problems are small, indeed.”(p42)
So, Mel, why don’t you just get over yourself and step aside.
Allow God his rightful place in your life.
In control.
Yes, Melanie, that’s right.
You don’t need to be in control.
*shiver*
It will be okay.
In fact, life will probably be even better than your wildest dreams if you stop trying to make your own measly plans succeed.
God wants to use you to bring him glory.
And that can only be done under His direction–
thus ensuring, the outcome will be magnificent.
Mel, the point of your life is bring Him glory–
whatever it is you are doing.
Making dinner for your husband,
texting your awesome teenagers,
cleaning bathrooms,
teaching piano,
or even reading a book.
“The point of your life is to point to Him.”
So, in case you forgot the whole point–
get over yourself.
Realize that, standing before the throne of God, the only thing that will matter is who I am in Christ and how I lived for Him–
hopefully, with reckless abandon to fulfill every ounce of His will for my life no matter how unknown or how worrisome the path.
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The fact that the only thing that will matter when we stand before Christ is our relationship with Him should be such great news! That should let me let go of all my insecurities about who I am and what all I can't do and be thrilled that loving Him is what matters. However, most of the time I spend my days being so selfish and feeling justified in my sins b/c God understands all these other people I'm having to deal with, right? :) Most of the time the problem is me! Thanks for the encouragement and reminders. I actually got this book for a friend, but it sounds like I need to borrow it from her! I haven't blogged in a while but it's good to catch up!
thanks for that mel, that is what i struggle with!!
powerful words, thanks melanie! I needed that! I have crazy love, but havent read it yet! Excited to read it! Thanks!