In this chapter of Crazy Love, Chan gives us a profile of being obsessed with Jesus. Keep in mind that obsessed means ‘to have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.’
On pages 134-138, Chan lists three more ways in which we should examine ourselves to see if we are obsessed with Jesus to the point that we are faithfully living out His word.
- Friends of All – People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to Him. (1 John 2:4-6; Matthew 16:24-26)
- Crazy Ones – Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don’t always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth. (Luke 14:25-35; Matthew 7:13-23, 8:18-22; Revelations 3:1-6)
- The Humble – A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be “humble enough,” and they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known. (Matthew 5:16)
May I share my heart with you as each of us begins to examine ourselves in view of these three ways. It is my belief that we go through seasons of our lives where the Holy Spirit is nudging us to be more obsessed with Him, and even points to the door He wants us to enter to make that happen.
For me personally, there was a particular season of my life when, I indeed, looked pretty Crazy to those around me for following Jesus down the path that I felt He was leading me. Some even called me by that name! In fact, there were even times when I felt a little crazy myself because I was traveling down a road with Jesus that was completely out of my comfort zone of faith. We were on a road together that was, shall I say, “not my normal way” of life. Believe me, it would have been much easier for me to turn around and go back than to face the opposition that I encountered.
But, I learned some very valuable lessons during that season of my life:
- If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)
- His grace was sufficient enough to carry me through that season of my life, despite the opposition. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- Probably, the most important lesson I learned during that time period was: I had to “let go and trust Him” for the outcome of where He was leading me. After all, isn’t that what faith is?
As for being Humble, there was one season of my life when I had to face being humbled. Come to think of it, there were two seasons of my life—no, make that three. Oh, my gosh, numerous times are flooding my memory now as I write this blog when I had to face the big H. I am beginning to see that it is just like Chan says: “the sin of pride is always a battle.” So I might as well look for it to come around and around again until I reach heaven’s door.
I said all of this to show you where I’ve been and where I am at in this present season of my life ;and that is “Friends of All,” as it pertains to giving to the poor.
“Do you have a problem with giving to the poor?” you might be wondering.
My Answer: I don’t have a problem with giving to the poor at all—it is because of the season of my life that I am in at the present time that I am a little hung up. You see, I am retired, and though my husband and I have a comfortable income coming in, it is certainly not like it once was when we had big salaries, plus bonus checks coming in that took care of our family’s needs. There was also enough money left over for fun and recreation, long vacation trips, and even care-free spending at the mall.
As a result of this decrease in salary, I feel a strong need to be a good steward of MY MONEY. Wait! I don’t believe I just said that. “MY MONEY?” “Lord, forgive me; it’s YOUR MONEY.”
Oh yes, I believe God wants me to be a good steward in regards to money. But, quite honestly, out of my desire to feel “secure,” I find myself “hoarding my money,” (excuse me, God’s money) after I give of my tithes to the church.
Right now I feel the nudge to become Friends of All and give to those who don’t even have an income coming in like I do, that is “if I want to be obsessed with Jesus.”
And that’s my story on these three. What about you? What is God speaking to you about?
Be blessed,
Martha
**********
Let’s Pray:
Father God, first of all, we open our hearts to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to show us where we are not being obsessed with You. Help us to make changes in our life as You would have us to. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Your Assignment:
Where do you feel you need to make changes in your life in view of these three areas to become more obsessed with Jesus.
If you would like to send Martha a personal message in regards to this blog, you may email her at: Martha@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.
About Martha Bush
Since no one else has commented on here I guess I’m not the only one who has had a full day from start to finish. I read this early this morning and got ready to comment and then bam stuff happened. I’m too tired to say much now but I believe being crazy for Jesus and not just fulfill status quo is my area to work on. I liked Chan’s question, “…why do we call it radical when, to Jesus, it is simply the way it is?” Oh, to live like that!
Thanks, Clella, for the one and only comment. Must have been a busy day for all, as you said. Don’t we make this life so hard to be radical for Jesus? He must be just shaking His head at us. Blessings to you.
My husband and I used to own a business and we had a part time employee that we used to help with bags of groceries & money (anonymously). Her 35 yr old son lost his job (they closed the store), he moved in with her and wouldn’t look for a job and just sponged off her(and still is to this day, now in his 40’s!). He is an able body man. She was an exceptional worker and we liked jer bery much. She used to give him all her money so he could buy beer and cigarettes and she wouldn’t have groceries. So that’s when we started helping her, cuz she loved him so much she would give him her last dime and go without food. It made us sick that she enabled him, even to her detriment. Once we sold our business, we stopped all giving. We just could not support her son any longer. I know we were actually helping her, but he also benefitted, and we just couldn’t continue to enable that situation any longer. Your thoughts? What do you think Jesus would do? Teach a man to fish, who refuses to learn or keep giving his mom the fish? I’ve been torn about this for 3 yrs.