Okay, see, now I've thrown you. You're thinking "Why did he call this part 1, when he had a post called Read Along With Darin a few days ago? Shouldn't this be part 2?" Here's the scoop: In this post I'm going to offer up my thoughts on chapter one of Francis Chan's book Crazy Love. In my prior post, you will recall, I covered the Introduction and Preface. Well--follow me now--I thought it would be MORE confusing to call this part 2 while I'm actually covering chapter 1. So... shoot... now I'm confused. Forget it. Here are my thoughts on chapter one of Crazy Love.
Chapter One: Stop Praying
Interesting title to the chapter, no? Relax. He's simply advocating that we take time before haphazardly entering into God's presence. Chan recommends a segment on his website www.crazylove.com where you can see a video called 'Awe Factor'--an array of slides demonstrating the immensity of the universe, galaxy after galaxy, that does attest that God is unfathomably big. The author next rehearses a number of examples of God's handiwork--the complexity of caterpillars, the impressive strength of the human heart, the magnificence of trees, the productivity of spiders and the important work of goose-bumps among them. It is with this sense of wonder, Chan suggests, we ought to enter into God's presence.
In this chapter he speaks of a case of spiritual amnesia that afflicts us all. "No matter how many fascinating details we learn about God's creation... we still forget." Countless things distract us--if we're not intentionally and consistently reminding ourselves of God, we lose sight. Chan admits that there are many times he doesn't feel like loving God, and times when he forgets about God. As a reader, I see that in my own life, too. I can relate.
Chan notes that we are programmed in our society to focus on what we don't have. We are bombarded with images of "what we need to buy that will make us feel happier or sexier or more at peace." Most often, he asserts, we approach God like that. Whereas in the scriptures we're told that all things were created by Him and for Him, "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."
The best segment in this chapter, in my opinion, begins with Psalm 115:3--"Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases Him." Chan notes the many questions we ask: Why did you make me with this body instead of that one? Why are so many people dying of starvation? Why is my family so messed up? Why don't you make yourself more obvious to people who need you? Chan says, "The answer to these questions is simply this: because He's God." And then he points out, "He has more of a right to ask us why so many people are starving." That statement stopped me in my tracks.
The chapter ends with a recommendation that readers visit Isaiah chapter 6 and Revelation chapter 4. These texts give us two glimpses into God's throne-room and the effect His holiness should have on us. For my part, I watched Chan's video and then spent some time in those two Bible texts before praying last night. It was awe-inspiring.
Summary of chapter one: Stop, before entering God's presence haphazardly. This is God we're talking about!
Moving on to chapter two. Your thoughts?
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