Crazy Love

This book by Francis Chan was one of those that went under my radar for quite some time and when I said I hadn't read it (or had just read it when I finally finished it), people looked at me like I had three heads.  It would seem it was a small group favourite a few years ago at my church as well. 

It is a good book, it is a challenging book, it is a book that might make you feel really guilty and want to throw it across the room if you don't push through it to see where Chan is going in the end.  From the first chapter, I knew it was going to be that kind of book so I wrote my thoughts right on the last page of every one.  It is good to go back and see how I processed what he was saying.  

One of Chan's main points is that we are entirely too focused on ourselves and what we perceive to be our challenges.  "When I am consumed by my problems - stressed out by my life, my family, and my job - I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice.  In other words, that I have a 'right' to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities" (p. 41).  In Philippians 4, we are told to rejoice always (v. 4) and then immediately charged to rid ourselves of anxiety (v. 6).  I have a strong tendency to get wrapped up in my anxiety about what might or could happen and this was very striking for me to realize that when I am indulging in that sin, I am directly disobeying God.  

The part of the book that threw me for a bit of a loop was an entire chapter where Chan profiles lukewarm Christians.  If we are totally honest and looking closely, it is not difficult to see many of the profiled tendencies in our own lives.  He says "a lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron; there is no such thing...Jesus' call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing.  The thought of a person calling himself a 'Christian' without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd" (p. 84-85).  He uses Revelation 3:15-18 to support this point of view.  As I worked through how this left me feeling, I had to fight the urge to be disappointed in myself and question my salvation.  I was sure that was not what Chan intended so I decided to see the pricks that the profiles made on my heart as an opportunity to make some changes and be more bold in my faith and delve even deeper into the Word.  I wrote a prayer to God asking Him to take me from whatever level of 'lukewarmed-ness' I was at to blazing hot for His glory in all areas of my life.  Then he finally said in the next chapter, "I do not want true believers to doubt their salvation as they read this book.  In the midst of our failed attempts at loving Jesus, His grace covers us.  Each of us has lukewarm elements and practices in our life; therein lies the senseless, extravagant grace of it all.  The Scriptures demonstrate clearly that there is room for our failure and sin in our pursuit of God" (p. 87).  I hope everyone who wanted to close the book previously got to that point!!

What Chan really wants us to get is "following Christ isn't something that can be done halfheartedly or on the side.  It is not a label we can display when it is useful.  It must be central to everything we do and are" (p. 94).  Yes, that's the prodding and encouragement I wanted to hear!  Those of us who are true believers in Christ, should be seeking Him whole-heartedly and passionately at all times.  "When you are running toward Christ, you are freed up to serve, love, and give thanks without guilt, worry, or fear.  As long as you are running you are safe...As long as we are pursuing Him, we are satisfied in Him.  It is when we stop actively loving Him that we find ourselves restless and gravitating toward other means of fulfillment" (p. 104).  

To counteract the profiles of the lukewarm, Chan offers profiles of the obsessed - people who are lovers, risk takers, humble, unguarded and rooted (plus more characteristics) and in being so reflect their passion for Jesus.  It was inspiring to read all the wonderful ways Jesus wants us to go and be.  Near the end of the book, Chan urges his readers to "consider and actually live as though each person you come into contact with is Christ" (p. 166).  This will start us off on the path of God's will for our lives.  Then there is a chapter on people 'who really live like that' - it will leave you weeping.  

If you decide to read Crazy Love, please keep going all the way through and if you do have moments of struggle, put the book down, find somewhere very quiet and have a very serious conversation with God about why you are struggling.  Trust the Holy Spirit on this.  "We often have 'aha!' moments but don't act; in fact, we're famous for it in the church" (p. 166).