Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it?
It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.

—Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

Whew, this is one of those quotes that definitely makes you wonder, Christian or not.

I came across this quote by American pastor Francis Chan the other day, and had to take a moment to consider.

For a moment, I want you to take a step back and consider this. God—universe creator, capital-G God—knows you, loves you, and wants to be known and loved by you. It seems pretty impossible, and yet this is the core of the Christian message. God created everything we know, and he still wants a personal relationship with each and everyone of us.

If you’re anything like me, this seems impossible. I feel messed up and inadequate on some of my best days, so to imagine Him thinking of me with fondness, care, and adoration is incredible.

Even more difficult, he loves even the worst people that this planet has to offer. Don’t get it twisted, he hates their (and my) sin, and hates the ways that they (and I) hurt and bring suffering to others, but should they (we) repent of their (our) ways and turn whole-heartedly to Him for forgiveness and transformation, He would give it.

The forgiveness, love, mercy, and justice of God are all counter-cultural and confusing to so many of us. Why and how could a ‘just’ God forgive these people? How and why does He love us so much?

These are questions that are difficult for us to answer, because of the most obvious fact that we are not God. If he truly created everything and chooses to rule this way, then that is His choice. Telling him off for it would be like having an ant tell us how to do our day-job.

Yet, he has revealed himself to us, many times over. Through the laws He proclaimed to the ancient Jews and through the life of Jesus revealed in the Bible. There are also many stories of people from all around the world encountering Jesus, and coming to know Him even today! God wants to be known by us. He wants us to seek out a relationship with Him.

Now, this all sounds well-and-good, but how do we actually do that? And why should we?

Over the years, Christianity has had many faces, many of them violent, harmful, and damaging. We cannot undo the past, but we can work towards a better present. The teachings of Jesus remain controversial and counter-cultural even today, and one does not have to look long to see that most people aren’t giving away their coat and shirt to those in need, nor are they supporting widows, orphans, the poor, and sick.

We must return to reading the Bible and understanding what it means. Too often I hear people say that they were disgusted by the God of the Old Testament who wiped out groups of people and punished them for their actions. These are usually the same people who ask why God isn’t out here raining hellfire on the evil people of the world today. (Speaking to myself here too!)

Jesus came to restore us, to give us a better way to live. But why should we want to follow him?

I mean, Jesus himself said “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34). He was pretty clear that following Him meant giving up the pleasures of this world, so why would we do that?

Well first, because being selfless invites us to help others more, which we know scientifically makes us feel good. There is also the fact that spreading kindness and love can return to us in unexpected and profound ways when we need it. Of course, forgiving others and living life with a sacrificial love is not easy, but it creates a world where transgressions can be left in the past and healing can be found.

And then there is the little matter of Jesus being God. If what Jesus said was true, and if everything he did was true (healing, raising people from the dead, banishing demons), then God humbled himself from a throne in heaven to come and live amongst us. The God of the universe decided he loved us so much that he wanted to come and live amongst us, not only to teach and help restore creation, but to restore our relationship with him forever. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the miracle of Christianity, showing that God himself chose to take on the punishment of our sins, literally dying for us so that he could have us spend eternity with him.

Christian or not, I think you can admit that is a pretty incredible and rather romantic story.

So, I ask again: are you missing it? I think I am, but I don’t want to be anymore.