Food for Thought

Crazy love. That's what God has for us. While I haven't quite finished the book yet (Crazy Love) by Francis Chan, I know that it will be one that I will go back to and reread. I'm sure I will blog about this book later as well. For now, I think this one paragraph has more than enough to ponder. On page 16, which in reality is like, 2, Chan asks a question I think is often asked, but not really thought about. He starts with a quote from Acts 11:26, saying,
"'The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." What I find interesting is the simple thought that the Christians didn't name themselves. But rather, they were called (or named) "Christians" by those watching their lives. I wonder if it would be the same today. Could someone look at your life or look at my life and name me a Christian? A humbling question for sure."
I consider myself a "good" person. I don't steal, I don't commit adultery, I for sure don't murder. I don't purposefully upset people -- or upset them in general. I typically have a smile on my face, and a kind word to say. I don't even know how to say what I want. I feel like Christians blend in too much in today's society for 2 reasons.
1. I think people assume they can be good people without God in their lives. Sure, they can go their whole lives without committing a crime, and smile to strangers walking past them, but are they still "good" people? I think they are no worse than lukewarm Christians.
2. I think probably around 98% of Christians are "lukewarm" Christians. (If you've read the book, you know what I'm talking about) I will be the first to admit that I fall under this category. We should be 100% about God. As I do not have a way with words, nor am I a Theologian, I will quote Chan again. He says, "Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives." It's so hard to even imagine going a day with God on my mind every second, whether I'm feeding my cat, picking up groceries, or taking a shower -- to have everything we do, truly be for God and his glory.
I'm really not trying to be a downer here. God loves us. He loves me. He loves you. He loves your neighbor's sister's boyfriend's dentist's aunt's dog groomer. There is nothing that we can do that will make Him love us less. He loved Hitler just as much as he loved Menno Simons. Even if I plant a new Church in a tribe otherwise unreached, God will not love me more. I don't think we fully comprehend his Crazy love for us! I really can't think of a better word for it than crazy!
I don't know about you, but I love God. Even more than that, I love that God loves me.