In this chapter, Francis focuses on love and faith.
First, Francis says we can either let life happen or actively run toward Christ. I'd put it this way: following Christ takes effort. Love takes effort. Love is a verb; action. Francis asks "what does running toward Christ and pursuing Love look like?" He looks at Hebrews 11 for the answer.
Hebrews 11, often called the hall of faith, includes snippets from the lives of Abraham, Moses, Noah, and others in the bible who had great faith. They required God to come through in their situations. Francis says that having faith often means doing what others see is crazy. "Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers." What are some things that Christians do that non-Christians would think are crazy? Like Francis says "we want to put ourselves in situations where we are safe 'even if there is no God.'" How would others view your spirituality, crazy or sane? I know I play it safe at times when I should really be trusting in God. He has my life in the palm of His hand, yet I think I need to be in control. Jesus says in Matthew 6:26-27, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Does our worry or desire to play it safe point to a lack of faith/spiritual growth?
In Matthew 25:45, Jesus' parable says that the king (who is actually himself, the Son of Man) will reply "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Francis asks "What if I thought of everyone one I see as if they were Christ?" There is a connection between loving and giving. When we give we are showing love for the other person. Describe an example of when someone gave to you.
One line that stood out to me from this chapter was this one, "As we begin the practice of regular giving, we see how ludicrous it is to hold on to the abundance God has given us and merely repeat the words thank you." It paints a picture of someone who has been given many gifts, but then just keeps them and doesn't share with those in need. Something is wrong with this picture.
Francis says a professor asked him, "What are you doing right now that requires faith?" He replies in his mind that he probably wouldn't be living very differently if he didn't believe in God. Some of us might argue there are a few things that we do that requires faith. But do they? Really? Do I just have faith to say that what I'm doing isn't a waste of time or is it more than that?
He also says that "Life is comfortable when you separate yourself from people that are different from you." He talks about the need to spend ourselves on others. Look for opportunities to help people, develop relationships with people that are different than us. Do you have a variety of friends or are they just like you?
Summary Questions:
- What are some things that Christians do that non-Christians would think are crazy?
- How would others view your spirituality, crazy or sane?
- Describe an example of when someone gave to you.
- What are you doing right now that requires faith?
- Do you have a variety of friends or are they just like you?
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