This chapter is 180 degrees compared to the lukewarm chapter (chapter 4). Francis Chan challenges readers to re-evaluate their relationship with the Lord. He defines obsessed as "to have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic." Christians should strive for being obsessed with God. Have you ever been obsessed with something?
The obsessed are people (paraphrased):
Lovers: Who love a person after they have hurt them.
Risk Takers: Who care more about the Kingdom of God than their own personal safety.
Friends of All: Who are friends to people of all walks of life, including those really in need.Crazy Ones: Who are more concerned about obeying God than doing what is expected.
The Humble: Who point others to Christ and not themselves.
Servers: Who take joy in loving God by loving His people.
Givers: Who think of others more than themselves and are particularly aware of the poor.
Sojourners: Who think about enternity more than their life on earth.
The Engrossed: Who have a passionate love for God above all else.
Unguarded Ones: Who are raw with God and don't try to mask the ugliness of their sins.
The Rooted: Who spend time with God faithfully.
The Dedicated: Who are more concerned about their character than their comfort.
Sacrificers: Who sacrifice thank offerings to God because they know they can never repay Him.
If there is one type of people in this list that you are closest to being, which one is it?
What two types of people would you like to become?
There is a point that Francis makes that I thought was good: "there has to be more to our faith than friendliness, politeness, and even kindness." We ought to be loving all people, even our enemies, to those who can't repay us. These are not easy things, but they are possible through the love of Christ. When have you chosen to love someone in difficult circumstances (child, spouse, parent)?
Later in the chapter Francis writes, "I didn't know many people who were truly in need." I agree that we need to reach out to those in need and get to know them. How diversified is your friend portfolio?
I think the point of this chapter is to switch from looking at things we are doing that might be negative (chapter four) and strive toward things that are positive. We've likely seen this modeled, either in real life or in the bible. The challenge is to let God shape us into people who are "obesessed" with Him. Through the many ways He loves us, we know He is truly obsessed with us. How has God shown His love to you?
Summary Questions:
- Have you ever been obsessed with something?
- If there is one type of people in this list that you are closest to being, which one is it?
- What two types of people would you like to become?
- When have you chosen to love someone in difficult circumstances (child, spouse, parent)?
- How diversified is your friend portfolio?
- How has God shown His love to you?
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