It has taken me a little longer than the rest of the Bloomers, but here we are at the end of the book. The Crux of the Matter, if you will. So what then is the Crux of the Matter?

Here's how I see it.

OBEDIENCE

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

It's both as easy and as challenging as that.

On the very first page, Chan writes about us being paralyzed by the "waiting" -- waiting to hear God speak, waiting to hear His will, waiting for Him to tell us what to do, where to go. I'm guilty of that myself...especially if it's something that puts me out of my comfort zone. In those situations, I find myself asking, "God, is that where you would have me be?" And if I were being honest, I probably already know the answer, but am trying to avoid it.

The fact of the matter is: God DID tell us what to do. We shouldn't be waiting for Him to tell us specifically, when in the Bible, he told us ALL to help those less fortunate. I won't list all of the passages here, but they are many. If you'd like to read them, check out this link.

"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17

There is no question that God calls His followers to help those less fortunate. HOW we are called to help them may be unique to each of us, but the fact that we are told to help them is universal.

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

My Bible Study leader really challenged us with that verse. The word IF is a big one, despite being only 2 letters long. IF we love God, we WILL obey him. We don't have to go against His word to disobey -- a simple inaction is disobedience. Inaction is disobedience -- and therefore we are not showing any love toward God. Sobering, isn't it? My slothful, lazy state definitely does not honor God, nor does it reflect my love for Him.

Crazy Love talked a lot about selling everything, downsizing, doing the radical -- things that strike fear in many of us (myself included). However, on page 166, Chan writes, "perhaps God wants you to work harder at your job and be His witness there. Perhaps He wants you to stay put and open your eyes to the needs of your neighbors."

This is where I find myself, and likely where many of you do, too. As I was cleaning my house in preparation for Christmas company, I was reflecting a lot on how I could serve others. I had been lamenting for the past couple years that I wasn't in service to anyone currently -- that I really wanted to serve through the church, but I wanted to serve with Jon and with the kids. The "problem" is that Jon's job is a service job. He serves people daily, and feels that to be his God-calling. And it is! What struck me as I cleaned is that perhaps the reason I was unable to "serve" through church is that I'm not currently serving my family with a joyful heart. I clean begrudgingly and inconsistently. I cook because we have to eat, therefore it's uncreative and not nearly as healthy as any of us would like. I sleep in whenever I can, and rely heavily on those in my family to take care of things. My service challenge is to serve my family - to do a better, more consistent job of taking care of the cooking, cleaning, and needs of my family. Once I get my priorities back in order, I believe that God will place other service opportunities in my path. For now, I feel strongly he's telling me to serve my family and support my husband as He follows God's command in meeting the needs of the homeless and near-homeless in our community. Just because I'm not on the "front lines" of service doesn't mean that I'm not helping to serve them.

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

How do I know what God commands? By reading His word. I can praise and worship all day every day, but unless I spend time in His word, getting to KNOW Him, I will not know what He commands. As Christians, we have been given the incredible gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who provides us with knowledge and understanding. Every day I must pray that the Holy Spirit fill me, that I'm aware of and seeking His guidance.

I leave you with the lyrics to an old hymn, Trust and Obey (as sung by Big Daddy Weave if you want to listen).

When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil he doth richly repay; not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of his love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor he shows, for the joy he bestows, are for them who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet, or we'll walk by his side in the way; what he says we will do, where he sends we will go; never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.