Wednesday, May 7

Great Quote!

Okay... so, I'm reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love: Overwhelmed By a Relentless God, and it's kicking my butt... big time. I've been slacking somewhat with my book reviews, so I promise to review this one once I'm done. But for now, let me give you a brief taste of what Chan is doing to me... hopefully, it will kick your butt, too.

When I am consumed by my problems - stressed out about 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... 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 that the things we are involved in are important to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.

Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff of my life is 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.

Why are we so quick to forget God? Who do we think we are?


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Boy that is so true. Focus on self means eyes off God. Bottom line worry is sin. That requires a radical change of behavior.

Anonymous said...

D- I'm going to have to check this book out.

Since we moved to FL I've been in the I/my mode...not good. I'm repenting right now. No joke.

Keep rockin!