“If it seems we’re crazy, it’s to bring glory to God. And if we’re in our right minds, it’s for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us.” 2 Cor. 5:13-14
Lord Jesus, first of all, thank you for a new week—a week you have made, over which you rule, in which you will be at work in our hearts and every place in the cosmos. If we were to make a list of reasons for why we have more hope than heaviness, more encouragement than the “blues,” and more peace than anxiety, your great love for us would be #1, #2, and #3.
Your love is the resolution to relentless ache in our souls for connection and intimacy. Your love gives the redemption for the deepest sadness and most shameful parts of our stories. Only your love is better than life, Jesus.
We want what Paul celebrated in this passage. “Christ’s love controls us”—Paul wasn’t merely “warmed,” inspired, encouraged by your love. He was taken in and taken over. So much so, some people thought he was “crazy”—perhaps because of his freedom to suffer with joy, live so generously, and forgive so quickly. Do the same for us and in us, Jesus. This kind of “crazy” is actually Gospel-sanity.
What would that look like? Your truth would define us more than people’s approval, the devil’s lies, and our culture’s agenda. Your goodness would be our feast and freedom—the most satisfying reality in our lives. Your beauty would take our breath away, then give it back so we can live and love to your glory. All of this looks so inviting, Jesus—even if it’s a bit overwhelming. But do every bit of it, all summer long. So Very Amen.