A while back I read the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I definately recommend it to you, especially if you desire to love God more passionately than ever before.
Chapter Eight is titled “Profile of the Obsessed” and it makes the point that followers of Jesus should be completely obsessed with Jesus and His mission for us. I absolutely agree with this statement. After all, we are instructed to love Him with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. This sounds like obsession to me.
There are 13 statements in this chapter that outline what a obsessed person should be like. Now, I’m not sure whether or not what I am about to do violates any copyright laws. However, if Francis Chan is the person that he seems to be, he will not mind.
So–here are those statements about people who are obsessed with Jesus. Let’s see if they look like us.
“People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.” (page 132)
“People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.” (page 133)
“People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to Him (1 John 2:4-7; Matt. 16:24-26).” (page 135)
“Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don’t always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth.” (page 137)
“A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be “humble enough,” and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known (Matt. 5:16).” (page 137)
“People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people (Matt. 13:44; John 15:8).” (page 139)
“People who are obsessed with God are known as giver, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world (James 2:14-26).” (page 141)
“A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.” (page 142)
“A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.” (page 143)
“People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the uglines of their sins or their failurs. Obsessed people don’t put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.” (page 144)
“People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nourished by God’s Word thoughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages.” (page 145)
“A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people kno that true joy doesn’t depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God (James 1:2-4).” (page 146)
“A person who is obsessed with Jesus know that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in every aspect of his life, continually saying “Thank You!” to God. An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if hs is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as a child and friend of God.” (pages 147)
Read those statements over and over again. Slowly would be best. Then consider how you look compared to this “Profile of the Obsessed.”
If you find that you are not obsessed with Jesus, the answer does not lie in trying harder. The answer lies in loving Jesus more passionately. This is cultivated by spending time with Him through meditating upon His words, prayer, and drawing near to Him in ever facet of our lives.
If we submit ourselves to Jesus then He will do the work of creating an obsession for Him in our lives.
I wonder what this world would be like if more people were obsessed with Jesus. Let’s try to find out.
Posted by pastormatt 
Posted by pastormatt 
Posted by pastormatt 