Are We Obsessed?

Obsession: To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.

In Francis Chan's book Crazy Love he spends a chapter discussing the profile of the obsessed. He says:

"The idea of holding back certainly didn't come from Scripture. The Bible teaches us to be consumed with Christ and to faithfully live out His words. The Holy Spirit stirs in us a joy and peace when we are fixated on Jesus, living by faith and focused on the life to come (eternity). While (the following) descriptions combined don't necessarily answer the question of what it looks like to be wholly surrendered to God, they represent important pieces of the puzzle. Hopefully you can begin to imagine and pray about what this looks like in your own life."

*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.

*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 2:4-6; Matt. 16:24-26)

*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 to unbelievers.

*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.

*People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God and loving His people.

*People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, 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).

*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.

*A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for god, above and before every other thing and every other being.

*People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don't put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.

*People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nourished by God's word throughout 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.

*A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character then comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment. It is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated; a gift ultimately from God (James 1:2-4).

*A person is who is obsessed with God knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to His Savior in every aspect of life, continually saying, "Thank You!" to God. An obsessed person knows that their can never be intimacy if he 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.

May we cease living as the status quo and begin living the profile of the obsessed. There is only One worthy and safe enough of our obsession... May we fix our hearts and minds on you Lord.