I recently read the following in a piece on St. Francis and the early Franciscans: "They...were often thought to be 'crazy'...were often mocked, spat upon, and had stones thrown at them..."

I recently had reason to think about the idea of being crazy, based upon something one of my readers told me about herself. I know I'm just opening myself up for some peanut-gallery commentary from my very best friends here about how I should be thinking about my own sanity more often. (I love you too, people!)

But then, I kind of agree with the concept! Admittedly, thinking about my own sanity or that of my reader made me uncomfortable at first. However, I've realized it shouldn't. After all, it doesn't seem to be uncommon for saints to be considered crazy. (I did a quick search on Google for "saints thought to be crazy"--without the quotes--for you to see what I mean.) Further, the idea of being looked down upon, mocked, or even martyred for the sake of Christ and His gospel is something you and I ought to expect and welcome (per Mark 13:13 and Matthew 5:11). St. Francis called his own persecution by others "pure joy."

At the same time, there needs to be a balance between craziness and reason when it comes to our faith. To everything, turn, turn, turn (Ephesians 3:1-8). By this, I mean that God needs us not only be crazy about Him, but also to be reasonable and to work for Him based on several things:

1. Our God-given abilities, talents, and gifts. We should be using these to the maximum. (Oh, and they're called "God-given" for a reason).
   
2. "Where we're at," in every sense: intellectually, emotionally, financially, physically, geographically, experience-wise, etc. This is deeply related to #1 above, obviously. Only by knowing where we're at can we analyze where we need to be and how we're going to get there.
   
3. "Where others are at" around us. We need to consider who we're around, what they need, and what we can give them (per #1 and #2 above). I highly recommend reading 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Then re-read it; this time instead of just focusing on verses 19 to 22 (like I admit to doing myself), please pay particular attention to verse 23. Consider how becoming "all things to all" affects your own life, your own soul.
   

So, regardless of whether you've ever been accused of being crazy or not:

1. Consider whether what others are telling you about you ("you're crazy," "you're smart," "you smell", etc.) is true or not. You must know who you are to allow God to use you! If you're a hammer for God, but think you're a saw, you're not going to be good at being either one!
2. Ask everyone you know to pray for you. And do it often. If you feel inspired, add a prayer request for yourself (by name or not) on my site of prayer requests.
3. Pray for yourself! This isn't the pride of being self centered, but rather the humility of admitting to God that you need His help. Ask Him to make you whole, whatever that is. Ask Him to help you to know yourself.
4. Get the help you need, regardless of what it is! If it's emotional help, see a counselor and/or doctor. If it's physical help, see a doctor or personal trainer. If it's financial help, see a financial planner. (I won't list them all off, you get the point.) We live in a real world where help often costs money. This is one area where spending your money just makes sense. God needs you at your best!
5. Meditate and pray about what you need to do and who you need to become per 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Meditate and pray about God's will for you. Start this meditation and prayer once you have already started doing #1-4 above. Note that I said "once you have already started doing," not "once you have done." These aren't one time activities; you must continually do each of the activities on this list.
6. Do it! Become that person!
   

Ultimately, many of the saints have been considered crazy. Maybe you and I are next! But also consider that God and the Church need you and I to be able to reach others "wherever they're at." Being considered crazy (whether we are or not) will not help us save their souls. Others must look to us as reasonable people. They must see us as Christian people who have faith in spite (or I would argue exactly because) of reason.

Said another way: crazy or not, God needs you and I at our best!


God bless you and your descendants!