Ok, guys. I just had to write, cause I was reading in this book, which is quickly becoming my favorite book, (Crazy Love), and in the next chapter, this is what the author, Francis Chan, wrote:
Colossians 1:16 tells us that everything was created for God: "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."
Don't we live instead as though God is created for us, to do our bidding, to bless us, and to take care of our loved ones?
Psalm 115:3 reveals, "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." Yet we keep questioning Him: "Why did You make me with this body, instead of that one?" "Why are so many people dying of starvation?" "Why are there so many planets with nothing living on them?" "Why is my family so messed up?" "Why don't you make yourself more obvious to the people who need You?"
The answer to each of these questions is simply this: because He's God. He has more of a right to ask us why so many people are starving. As much as we want God to explain himself to us, His creation, we are in no place to demand that He give an account to us.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"
-Daniel 4:35
Can you worship a God who isn't obligated to explain His actions to you? Could it be your arrogance that makes you think God owes you an explanation?! Do you really believe that compared to God, "all the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing," including you?
This is almost what I was trying to say to you guys the other day. . . I think. Isn't this amazing? :)
Seriously read the back of the book: "Crazy Love." Or even better read the book. Here I have what's written on the back of the book:
Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?
It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe---the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies, and E-minor---loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.
Whether you've verbalized it yet or not. . . We all know something's wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at the list of do's and don'ts--it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.
Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.
This, right here,---- I want it for myself, I want it for each of you. This is exactly why I have started this blog: an effort to make my beliefs more visible.This book, is impacting my life. Please pray for more-visible spiritual change in me. I don't want a life where I follow a list of "good Christian values" and live everything to lukewarm fulfillment. A lukewarm life is a wasted life. I don't want to get to heaven, stand in line to get my reward, and watch Jesus' face fall as He truthfully reminds me of my constant shame in acknowledging Him here on earth, and the wasted, wasted life I lived only to please myself.
I want to be sold out and deeply passionate for the cause of Him who literally (think about this for a moment) died for me. Come, let's do this together. Either be all for God, and growing and wanting more of Him, or show that you want nothing to do with Him. No more half-half. No more in-between. This is serious stuff, guys. Nothing to play around about.
I'm not promising that change will be painless. Most change is uncomfortable. But this is a journey meant to be taken. This is up to you.
I love you guys, and realize this may seem harsh, way to over-rated, and quite sudden. I have merely really been moved to the conviction, that we won't be sitting here forever to decide what to do with our life! This is but a vapor, but all of eternity will be centered around what we do with THIS time. Don't be deceived, or despairing. Together, we cannot be broken. I challenge each of you to take this step of faith with me.
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