Just finished reading an awesome book about God and His love for us. Crazy Love by Francis Chan. If you have not read this, you need to. I don’t care if “you’re not a reader” if you know how to read you need to read and fully grasp what Chan is saying here.
AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!
This time of year I like to sit down and really focus on what has happen in the last year and what is coming ahead for the next. This year I am attacking things a little differently. I am looking at what “Mission” God would like me to accomplish in the next year.
After some good seeking and searching with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I think I understand what that mission is for 2009. Toward the end of 2008 and now in the beginning of 2009, God has been teaching me, in many ways, what it really means to love. To Love God and Love Others.
That’s my mission for this year. I desire to really know what it means to love God and to love others and then actually apply it to my life. So many times I hear great practical teaching but then I don’t apply it.
What’s the point if you don’t apply it?!?
So with that said, I want to share with you what God has been teaching me over the last couple of days (since the beginning of 09). Keep in mind that this is God teaching me – some of this may seem obvious to you but it’s exactly what I needed to hear.
1. Love is selfless and unconditional
- Wow, that sounds easy (not). This was obvious for me but revolutionary at the same time. Some times we make things so complex when really they are simple.
I had the opportunity toward the end of 2008 to read a book titled “The Shack” and it rocked my world. I highly recommend it. This book really caused me to look at things in a different light as it relates to God, love and relationships between us and God.
2. Love is based on commitment and not on feelings or desires.
- True agape love is more stable than feelings and desires will ever be. To really love the way God designed us to love, we need to base it on something way more stable than feelings and desires (phileo and eros).
When you’re committed to something, you are locked onto it come hell or high water. You could have the worst possible day with a spouse or with your kids but you still love them, why? That makes no sense based on how you feel.
Right, but if your love is based on your commitment to loving them no matter what, then you will love them through anything.
3. God is the Creator of the Universe and yet loves the most intimate details of my life.
- I have to give credit to Francis Chan for this one. I am currently reading his book, Crazy Love. And chapter 1 is totally focused on explaining who God really is and what He created and how in the midst of his Awesomeness he still cares deeply for you and me.
I encourage you to watch a video on his site, http://www.crazylovebook.com/ – the video is called “The awe factor of God” and you’ll get a sense of how huge God is. The amazing thing is God is the creator of the universe and He is bigger than that. Logically a Creator needs to be larger and than it’s creation and after watching that video it gave a real sense for how awesome God really is.
But what is even more amazing is that he cares intimately and deeply for us humans on this little spec in the universe called earth. Not just humans but you and me. Not just knowing who we are but knowing what we think and the plan for our short life on this planet. WOW! absolutely mind blowing – that is crazy, deep, intimate love – I so want to be like that!