Chapter 8: "Profile of the Obsessed"
>> Wednesday, May 12, 2010
In Chapter 8, Chan touched on many different characteristics of those who are obsessed with Christ...lovers, risk takers, friends of all, crazy ones, humble, servers, sojourners, engrossed, unguarded, rooted, dedicated, sacrificers. What did God show you through this chapter? What stood out to you as you read a profile of the obsessed? I am being rather vague in the discussion starter because this chapter touched on so much. What is God asking of you or where does He seem to be leading you?
5 comments:
Obsessed it a good way to describe how I spend much of my time. I don't think I've really looked up the definition for obsessed so when I read it, it struck hard. I feel like I'm always excessively preoccupied with something. Unfortately it isn't always Jesus. I think a lot of my obsessions block my view of Jesus and he has to really reach in and grab ahold tight to pull me out of it.
I loved this whole chapter, even though it stung a bit. Each time I read the bold words "People who are obessed with Jesus...." I had to stop and read it again and again. If I was truely obsessed with Jesus, I wouldn't have trouble with any of these characteristics. I feel like I'm good at a lot of them but definetely not obsessed.
One thing that really stuck out to me was on page 138 when Chan challenged us with "before you say one word to God, take a minute and imagine what it would be like to stand before His throne as you pray." Thinking of prayer like this just paints a whole new picture for me. I picture myself laid out before him not even able to look at him. I picture myself not even wanting to talk but to just "be" in His presence. What would I even say to Him? I think once I found my voice, I would spend my time praising Him and thanking Him instead of asking and complaining. Sadly my prayer time would look much different than now. I want to practice this kind of prayer. I want to be on my face before my God and praising Him. I am always in His presence so what is stopping me?
One other thing was on page 143. A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being. I really don't even have words to describe how this makes me feel but I want this. I want to be obsessed. Father help me become obsessed with you.
My daughter is obsessed with me. And I mean OBSESSED. If she is awake, she wants to be with me all the time. In my lap, clinging to my leg, hugging me as tight as she can. She wants to do everything like me and she spends most of the day mimicking every move I make.
I won't lie. It drives me CRAZY (not in a crazy love kind of way). But as I was reading through this chapter it struck me that that is how God wants us to be. He wants us to cling to him from the moment we wake up until our heads hit the pillow each night. He wants to be our obsession.
There are times when I'm obsessed with Jesus. And then there are times when I just can't find a moment to pick up my bible...or even read a chapter in Crazy Love (even if it is only a chapter a week)!
There are moments when Avonleigh crawls in my lap and whispers, "I love you, Mommy" and gives me a big hug and kiss and lays her head on my chest and I think, "Wow, I love how much she loves me." That's what I want Jesus to think. "Wow, I love how much she loves me!"
OK, so I just sorted through all of my thoughts and got them typed out. Something happened and it didn't post, so I am going to take a breather and try again later today.
Oh Kasey that has happened to me and it's so frustrating! Jeanette, what a great example of what obsession looks like. It kind of puts a whole new perspective on it!
Ladies, I am so sorry that I have just been able to re-post. We have been out of town for a wedding and visiting relatives, but we are back home! I really thought that I would have been able to post before we left, but with the wirlwind of activity that goes before a trip, it just didn't happen.
I loved what both of you wrote in your posts...Julie's comment about coming before the Lord in prayer and Jeanette's comment painting a picture of a child's true obsession.
One section that really spoke to me was the one on risk takers. I would like to think of myself as a risk taker, but I think if I take an honest look at myself, I live in a bit of a shell a lot of the time. I am in my little routine and honestly don't take a lot of risk. I may have unbelievers around me, but do I really notice them? I spend hours at the baseball fields, almost everyday right now.....surrounded by people that I do not know. I have spoken a little to some of them, but chasing the boys who are not playing or practicing at the time keeps me busy.....that is a sorry excuse. I should be working harder at taking risks and building relationships with those people. I don't even know most of their names, much less if they are believers or not. All the while, I dream of going on an overseas mission trip. There is a mission field all around me and what good am I doing?
I have also been seeking God's will for a sitiation where we may be able to host a soccer coach for camp from another country. That is a risk that goes against my usual thinking; however, I can't get it out of my head. There are so many questions....what will it be like? This person would be in my house for a week, where we live and sleep. What if they are crazy? What if it is too expensive to feed them? What if, what if, what if.....? I am not certian yet if we will do it, but I have asked my husband to pray about it, too, because I know that he won't get a different answer that I will.
I also seem to be obsessed with safety and comfort. "Lord, please keep us safe, keep my children from getting hurt, let the day go smoothly....." God brought this to my attention a while back and has been working with me on it. Still, I catch myself praying, "Father, your will.....but......" What kind of trust is that?
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