Here I sit, mug of tea to my right, music in my ear, and Crazy Love right in front of me. I've read the preface and chapter one several times this week already, trying to cultivate thoughts, allow for witticisms to grow, and all that other stuff that writers are supposed to do before committing words to paper. Or screen.
There's just one problem with my well planned intentions...I read the foreward just now and had to scrap everything so that I could (once again) wing my post.
Chris Tomlin is not only a gifted musical artist, but he's also a gracious friend. I love how he describes Francis Chan:
"Francis is one of those rare people you come across in life who leaves you wanting to be better."
I've met several people like this in my own life journey. They are a delight to be around. They, as a species, exude this loving confidence in you that makes you feel like you could do anything. Just being around this type of person is invigorating and refreshing because they give you the sense that you can stop trying. You don't need to show off, you don't need to be clever, you don't need to try and fit into some pigeon-hole of a category because no matter who you are or what you do, they just think you're the best.
A funny thing happens when people treat you with that kind of love...it makes you want to live up to their standard. By some crazy psychology, you want to improve not to gain approval but to inwardly feel like you deserve the approval you've already been given.
Tomlin continues writing the praises of Chan, saying that he's someone who believes that God is really who He says He is and that the true reality of this life is to follow Him wholeheartedly.
Wait...isn't that how we should be living as Christians anyway? We call ourselves Christians, but as pointed out in the foreward, Acts 11:26 ends with pointing out that outsiders called the disciples Christians. It wasn't a moniker that the followers of Jesus picked up and draped around their shoulders to shield themselves away from the world. It was a description put upon them based off their behaviors and beliefs from their worldly peers who watched their lives.
Can the same be said for me?
If my neighbors were asked to label me, it would probably be 'reclusive' or 'busy' or something else...I don't know if I've earned the right to be called a Christian by my neighbors because I don't actually know them. I certainly am not loving them well...how can I when I can barely remember what they look like, much less their names or what's important to them?
Jesus said that the most important commandment is to
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second one is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself."(Matthew 22:37-40)
Dang. Can I really honestly say that I'm loving God with all I have if I don't love those He's created in His image? If I honestly believe that mankind bears the imago Dei, or the image of God, but then I don't love all of mankind, can I REALLY say that I love God?
I'll hit you with the actual preface in a few days, but take some time to ponder the foreward...I didn't think I'd be this convicted after reading it. I hope you can commiserate as we marvel together the concept of loving others so honestly and completely they feel compelled to live up to that standard. Isn't that our most tangible expression of our love for God?
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