Crazy Love

After a whirlwind journey of some of the southern states in the past few weeks, I am finally home. I arrived just in time for the snow to pile all around. With only good intentions of going out to brave the cold wheather, I have instead huddled into a comfy chair with a good book.

In light of yesterday being Valentine’s Day, I would like to share just one of the many things that stood out to me in this book about love. In the eighth chapter of the book he talks about the profile of the obsessed. It made me question what I am obsessed with. The definition of obsessed is: to have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic. What do I think about most?

People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back. (p. 132)

 

People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress. (p. 133)

 

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; Matt. 16:24-26). (p. 135)

 

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 on this earth. As Martin Luther put it, “There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day” (Luke 14:25-35; Matt. 7:13-23; 8:18-22; Rev. 3:1-6). (pp. 136-137)

 

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 so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known (Matt. 5:16). (p. 138)

 

People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people (Matt. 13:44; John 15:8). (p. 139)

 

People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world (James 2:14-26). (p. 140-141)

 

A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them. (p.142)

 

A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being. (p. 143)

 

People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don’t put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace. (p. 144)

 

People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nourished by God’s Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages. (p. 145)

 

A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn’t depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God (James 1:2-4). (p. 146)

 

A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in every aspect of his life, continually saying “Thank You!” to God. An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as child and friend of God. (pp. 147-148)