Exodus 3:14 (NLT)
God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.”
See if this sounds familiar: You’re in your favorite store, whether that be Wal-Mart, Bass Pro, the mall, or the book shop. You didn't come in to buy anything necessarily but were just in the area and stopped by. Maybe just to do some window shopping. As you’re strolling down the colorful, attractive, or quaint aisles, you spot something interesting. A purse. A bow. An HD flat-screen. A C.S. Lewis book.
And before you can suck in a breath, something inside you says, “That’s it. That’s what you need. That will help life make sense. That’s what will make you’re life complete.”
“You don’t need this,” your conscience replies. “You have plenty of air, food, and water. Plenty of other stuff. You don’t even use all that you have. Plus, the family can’t afford it.”
The thing responds back with a compelling argument. “We will fill the void. Once you turn us on or draw us back or turn the page, your worries will be forgotten. You’ll live happy and free. We don’t cost that much. And as a bonus, your family can enjoy us also!”
Your hand reaches for it. And then it's got you. What you own will end up owning you.
In your enthusiasm and hopes of fulfillment, you fail to hear the whisper, “All you need is me.”
So you snatch the goods from the shelf. Only to find out later it's no different from what ever you bought the last week. The glossiness of the distraction wears off. And you’re empty once more.
And it doesn't even have to be something you purchase. Anything and everything vies for our attention: sexual images, sports events, hunting season preparation, jobs, clearance sales, lake days, the new restaurant in town, home improvements, vacation spots, pill-popping schedule, families, and the like.
Although this is a hypothetical situation from my own imagination, it displays the powerful point that Crazy Love is getting across. Our attention is elsewhere. Which means, essentially, it's not on GOD. We must implore ourselves to “intentionally and consistently remind ourselves of him.”
The next time you find yourself in such a predicament, take a moment to stop and listen carefully. There, you will find the whisper, “I AM all you need.”
Author’s Note: for more on this topic, read pages 29-31 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Danae Yankoski
