I've recently read two good books that I'd like to recommend to anyone interested. These books are quite different, but reading them at the same time was rather thought-provoking because they both hit one theme really hard: love.
The first book is Francis Chan's Crazy Love. For anyone who has ever wondered if the church was "missing something" about God, well, this book is for you. I had been hearing so much about Crazy Love for so long and after finally reading it, I can't help but repeat many of the same things said to me about the book: it'll make you think, challenge you, and change you in your faith! However, I will be the first to admit that it's a difficult, convicting read! It begins with a powerful, humbling reminder of just who God is and just how small we are, and then dives right into the tragic state of lukewarm Christianity. I fear too many of us are often guilty of the traits of lukewarm Christians, myself most certainly included. And like a loveless marriage, I think that a lukewarm faith can never be truly satisfying; an unattainable to-do list, polite aloofness, and too much pride can only satisfy so much. But Crazy Love reminded me that our faith in Jesus Christ is not supposed to like this; it's about falling in love. I especially loved the inspirational stories of love and action that Francis Chan included in one of the last chapters. And although the book was certainly a convicting read, it was also very inspiring and so, I am highly recommending this book to all!
My second recommendation today is Ted Dekker's Immanuel's Veins. If you've ever read Dekker, then you know that his novels usually depict dramatic battles between good and evil and are always an emotional roller coaster of whiplashes. Immanuel's Veins is no different; it sinks its teeth in you pretty quickly and simply won't let go! It tells the story of a warrior attempting to rescue the one he loves from the greatest evil in 18th century Russia. Honestly, the plot was a bit melodramatic at moments, but what made me continue to contemplate this book for weeks after finishing was it's theme of self-sacrificing love, much like Christ's.
So these books have had me thinking about love a lot recently. For instance, what exactly is love? More importantly, how does one differentiate between "real love" and lukewarm feelings or infatuations? If we, as Christians, are commanded to love God and each other, shouldn't we know this difference?
In the book of John in the Bible, Jesus tells his disciples: "Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:12-13)
After thinking a lot about this, I concluded that the difference is a choice. Simple feelings and infatuations can feel like love but they don't necessarily act like love. Love is choosing to sacrifice yourself for your friends, for the ones you love. Love is choosing to obey God even when it's hard. Love is choosing to be loyal and faithful forever.
Anyway, these are just my thoughts after reading both of these books at around roughly the same time. To anyone who yearns for a challenge in their faith or to anyone who simply wants a good emotional adrenaline rush (with a lot of thought afterwards), check out one of these two books!
