Are ya CRAZY, or just INSANE?

Faith is crazy. Straight up, nuts.

Think about it.
Sure of the things we hope for?
Certain about things that can’t be seen?

What’s that all about?

I mean, seriously, who spends 120 years building a boat — in a desert?
Who tries to have a baby at 90 when your husband is 100?
Who, when it’s 450 against one, soaks the wood in a calling-down-fire contest?

Who refuses to bow, knowing the death sentence attached to defiance?
Who goes against a 9-foot tall seasoned warrior, wielding only a slingshot?
Who comes from the backside of the desert with nothing but a walking stick to confront the power behind the pyramids?

Who fights an occupying enemy by whittling down his fighters from 32,000 to 300, and then arms them with clay pots and trumpets?
Who sends the musicians out first, in front of the soldiers, to defend his people against the combined forces of three nations?
Who tries to feed 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish?

And what innocent, as he suffers an agonizing death, pleads mercy,
not for his own life but for that of his killers?

Crazy.

On the other hand…

I’ve heard insanity described as
doing the same thing over and over and over again
but expecting a different result.

Life according to this world’s rules is insane.

Like thinking a new lover,
or a new marriage,
will make you happier

or more money,
a nicer car,
or a bigger house

Like thinking that changing the way my body looks,
will change how I feel about myself

or that winning the argument
was what I really wanted.

Haven’t we figured out,
waiting in line with our groceries,
that chasing riches & fame won’t satisfy the aching need of our souls?

How many of those that our world considers to be the most beautiful & talented
have tanked their careers,
their relationships,
and even their lives
getting everything they ever wanted.

This world seems to have but one rally cry
“EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY — for tomorrow we may die”

Giving no thought to what follows.
Silent at — “your soul, this night is required of you.”

So, the question remains

Are you crazy?

Or are you just insane?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  Hebrews 12:1-2