Does this describe you? Are you a LOVER?
Now…when God prompts me to give, I give freely, I really do. But how open am I to giving without prompting?
This reminds me of a time in my life when God prompted me to do a very kind, loving, and selfless act to someone who I held much unforgiveness in my heart for. This person had hurt my family and my children for a long time. But when God prompted me to extend kindness to them, I knew it was the right thing to do; but I also knew I would be unable to do it without His help and guidance.
Have you ever been in this position? How did it turn out for you? For me, I completely gave the situation over to God, and He totally showed off in every way! It did not turn out how I ever imagined it would, but He certainly knew exactly what He was doing, and it was 100% the right thing to do. He is so good!
However, I know I would not have come up with doing this on my own. I had shown this person kindness in the past in other ways, but in ways that were far less extraordinary and disruptive to my life. Reading this part of the chapter really made me stop and think about how foolish this is if I am truly living with a Crazy Love for our Heavenly Father.
“People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.”
Are you a RISK TAKER? I know I have been known to pray before trips for God to protect my family and keep us safe. But is that the best prayer? Chan suggests in this section that what we ought to be praying something more like this: “God, bring me closer to You during this trip, whatever it takes….”
Would that be hard for you to pray? I must admit, I love it.
It is what my heart believes…truly, it is. Whatever it takes, in whatever I do, I want to become a more fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ and become closer to Him…. Safety would be nice to have, but really, that is not necessary if it is not God’s will. What is there to be afraid of, really? If we truly trust God to provide and we trust His perfect plan and provision for our lives, then this prayer certainly is most appropriate.
Blessings,
Megan 🙂
Let’s Pray:
God, we want to be obsessed with You in every way. We want every person who interacts with us to not just think we are “nice” but that we are crazy and madly in love with YOU!!! Help us be rid of any mistrust or unbelief we might be carrying and become more fully passionate and devoted to You. We love You, Lord, and we thank You for opening our eyes and hearts to Your Truth! In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen. <3
Your Assignment:
What aspects about your faith need to change in order for you to be a lover and risk taker as you strive to be fully obsessed with loving our God? Please share with us below 🙂
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About Megan Smidt
To speak up quickly for the Lord and to forgive even more quickly, I think those two things would be risk taking for me and show others that I’m crazy in love with Christ. To accomplish those, I have to trust God more. Your prayer is my prayer today, Megan.
Oh, trust! Yes, sometimes that feels like the biggest risk we could ever take! Praying right along with you today, Clella! <3
The one of these two obsessed that spoke to me was to be a lover to those who has hurt me, and cannot love me back. I am praying for God to show me “how.”
standing in prayer with you, Martha <3
Every aspect of my faith needs to change. I am not a natural lover and risk taking is not my game. I have loved and been hurt and I lived way too many years with “what if” to the point that it drowned anything I ever thought of doing. I am doing better now, but it is so small compared to some things others do that I cannot even say it is risk taking. Risk taking for me, right now, is taking a road trip. Seriously! Living in fear is crippling!
Praying you are able to let God set you free of this bondage, Jackie! The fear is so real, i know…but God desperately wants you to be able to let go and LIVE… truly trust Him for your protection and provision! Thank you for sharing this and know I am stading with you in prayer <3
thankful for the words of your prayer, megan <3 still SO want my faith to grow so that i AM loving God with my WHOLE heart, soul, strength, and mind. not there yet. <3
talking steps towards Him <3 Continuing to pray for His loving guidance as you walk this out, Coleen <3
thanks, friend…i am appreciative <3
I’m a lover and sometimes I give too freely and get hurt. But I know God wants me to do it so I do. I tried to guard my heart but it’s difficult to do and give freely. So I just do it when God asks and what will be will be! Risks now I’m not so free with! I like rules and guidelines, so risk taking goes against my grain. I am trying harder, but unless God CLEARLY says do nit, I’m not apt to go for it easily. I guess we can’t all be that way! LOL! Thanks Megan!!