I'm finally to the point at college where I feel like I'm in a routine. So I'm going to try this blogging thing again...I know it seems like I say this in every post...but I have a good feeling about this time. I decided that I'm going to take it easy and not try to blog every day, but just do it when I feel like it...which, in spite of my few posts lately, is actually more often than you might think.
I recently took a break from my normal reading (mostly Christian non-fiction) and decided to do something a little different to give my mind a quick change of pace. I just finished The Circle Trilogy by Ted Decker and really enjoyed them. Somewhere down the road I will definitely be reading more of Decker's books...but for now it's back to Crazy Love.
After reading this chapter I have been kinda convicted. This idea that I have been giving God my leftovers didn't sit well with me. I have never really thought about this, but Chan raises a good point when he says that it is impossible for a Christian to be lukewarm. The reality is that Christ wants all or nothing from us. If we aren't willing to give Him everything, then he would rather have nothing than to be fighting for our time/thoughts/love/actions/etc.
I know that no one is perfect and that we are going to screw up and not give Christ ALL of us from time to time and that God's grace covers that act...but I don't think that's exactly what he meant here. There is a huge difference between trying to give your best to God and failing...and just giving God your leftovers. This is where I feel Christians need to check themselves. Are you really and truthfully giving God your "first fruits", or are you simply giving Him what is left after you take care of your needs? When I say this, I'm not necessarily talking about money, though that is part of it, I'm talking about your time and your relationships and your thoughts and your family and your whole life.
I felt convicted by this chapter because I feel like I am not doing a good job with this right now and I need to fix something. I want to challenge you to think about this concept in your life. How are you doing? Are you giving God your everything...or does He end up just getting your leftovers?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I just finished this chapter myself. I loved the example he used of leftovers. I'd be embarrassed to serve leftovers to a guest so why am I ok giving them to God?
ReplyDeletewelcome back brother. Sounds like a good book, maybe I'll add it to my list. :).
ReplyDelete