You must be crazy.
These are not unusual sentiments to hear when you’re about to take the plunge into something with no obvious guarantee of success.
You can imagine Noah’s observers were highly dubious of the project he was working on. When Abram mentioned his excursion one or two folks might have questioned his grasp on reality and his sanity.
I tell you who comes across as absolutely bonkers, the apostle Paul. Who in their right mind defects from an influential position with the ruling religious authorities to the persecuted new sect making himself public enemy number one. Not only that but who then goes on a journey spreading the news of this new Way of life encouraging new communities around the Roman Empire? Who keeps doing that despite suffering misunderstanding, rejection, flogging, imprisonment and shipwrecks?
I can imagine one or two outsiders looking in must have thought that this hombre was a few tuna and sweetcorn sandwiches short of a picnic.
There is of course the example of the faith, Jesus Christ Himself. Reading the gospels, especially John, you can begin to understand why the disciples were a bit baffled by the movements of the supposed Messiah. When He had the chance to gain the approval of the people, He would retreat. Just when He was making a good impression, He’d move on. As followers were gathering around Him, He would say something to sift them out like needing to eat His flesh and drink His blood. As the religious rulers were getting agitated, He would wind them up further by saying He and the Father are One or turning up at a Pharisee’s dinner and showing him and his guests up for not thinking about others.
Yet whether it was Noah, Abram, Paul, Jesus and many others recorded in scripture, their ‘crazy’ was the path to great things. And for whatever reason however well they did, there was the sense that greater was ahead. Paul stated in a letter to his homies in Philippi that he kept on pressing for the prize of the high calling in Jesus Christ. He kept on pressing because greater was ahead.
It’s not to suggest every follower of Christ has to be ‘crazy’ and must force themselves to do something outrageous to truly be a Christian. It is to suggest that following Jesus is a faith journey for a reason. As long as the reason remains Jesus then whatever great things we’ve enjoyed with Him, there is greater ahead.
In my life I’ve had the privilege of witnessing God do amazing things. I cannot refute the fact that God is real and looks for us to look for Him. And as long as we are looking for Him we will realise there’s more of Him to know and greater to be known about Him.
I am not saying life doesn’t get tough. That’s where the crazy kicks in, to believe in Him when the cares of life look to distract you. When the issue is significant and there seems to be no way around it. Just to keep believing God is crazy. But it’s worthwhile.
For though great was before, greater is ahead.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 