255 – Our Own Special Brand of Crazy

#faithbites #faithjourney crazy

I’ll be the first to say it: I’m crazy. Call me goofy, nuts, wacky, or just plain crazy. I do things that many people would think is nuts and that is just who I am. For instance, I showed people the plan to finish my dissertation (including the qualifying exams in 7 months). As Maui says in Moana: This is straight up kooky-dook.

In this case, I’m not talking about how many with mental illness are called crazy. I would probably fit that definition as well. Rather the experience when we are so passionate, so fanatically, so invested, that we do some wild and nutty things. For some of you, it’s travel around the country to see your favorite band. For other,s it’s waiting in line for hours and hours before a movie premieres. (Alot of that has gone away since Fandango took over, but you get my point). Still,l others volunteering a million hours a week for a cause and on the other end, people who camp out on Thanksgiving Day for those Black Friday ads. Whatever it is, we all have our own special brand of crazy.

A few months ago, I was walking with a friend’s three-year-old daughter. I was joking with her and asked if I was silly crazy or Criminal Minds crazy. She answered Criminal Minds. (For those of you who don’t know, that is a show about a group of profilers from the FBI who search for serial killers).

When we show our passion for God, does it come off as good crazy or Criminal Minds crazy?

Scripture on Passion for Christ

• If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 2 Corinthians 5:13-14 NLT
• Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” – Mark 3:20-21

Reflection

If we are crazy for Jesus, then he is crazy for us. Even his family thought he was crazy for his behavior. Why? He didn’t follow the laws of man but the laws of God. Likewise, when we “get our Jesus on”, we may seem pretty weird or strange to others. I can be found at times singing random Christian songs. In church, depending on the song, I like to get my groove on. To others, especially those who are around, think I’m a bit nutty, but that’s ok. We are told, “to make a joyful noise” (Psalm 98:4).

Before I found Jesus, I used to use the term “Jesus Freak” as a derogatory term. I thought those people were weird. Sure, some of them were doing it for the wrong reason, but others just loved Jesus and wanted to share it with others. I guess if I am going to be called a freak, being one for Jesus isn’t too bad.

The one word of caution I will give. There is a difference between being crazy for Jesus and being fanatical and losing Jesus. We want to follow his word and rejoice in it, rather than using his word for our own aims. Big Difference.

Charge

Do you let your freak flag fly for Christ? How do you show you are nutty for him? Can you use this enthusiasm and passion to help others find him? Take a minute to write down how you share Christ with others and how you show your crazy. Then share him with others.

Lord, let me always be a Jesus Freak. Allow the Holy Spirit to give me the strength to let my true feelings show in an open and non-threatening way.