Crazy Love Observations: Chapter 8

Would you be willing to do me a favor? Would you start praying with me and asking God what we're supposed to do with all of this stuff from Crazy Love? It's a fantastic book, but it's also the kind of book that drives a spear through our insincerity and complacency (perhaps that's why it's a fantastic book), and compels us to action. When we first began reading this together I was approached by a man who said, "I'm excited to see what happens in and through Grace as a result of reading it."

I am too.

But I'm also nervous because this is the kind of book that requires something of us. I think God tricked us into reading it because once we're exposed to truth we're accountable for it and we have to answer the question, "What am I going to do with it?"

He has some things for Grace Church to do, and it's stuff that goes above and beyond being good, quality people. I was convicted by the section in this chapter where Francis wrote, "I think sometimes we assume that if we are nice, people will know that we are Christians and want to know more about Jesus. But it really doesn't work that way. I know a lot of people who don't know Christ and are really nice-nicer and more fun to be with, in fact, than a lot of Christians I know. There has to be more to our faith than friendliness, politeness, and even kindness." He's right of course. James unpacked this in our letter when he said that real faith always has accompanying works attached to it. It's interesting that the first book of the New Testament that focuses on the church is called the book of "Acts." Acts must accompany the message.

I'm in a personal season of asking God about the "works" that He's asking Grace to do for our community.

We should all have our individual "one" that we're actively pursuing through our friendship and love, but there is also a "corporate one" for us-a mission-an assignment that will impact the 210-corridor with God's love. Let's go for it! I think we have all of the right elements in our church for us to become a driving force for good in our communities. (YOU are those elements, by the way.)

Know you are loved!

Chris