Crazy.
Webster’s Dictionary defines crazy as: not mentally sound: marked by thought or action that lacks reason. Synonyms used to describe this word are: absurd, bizarre, fanciful, foolish, insane, nonsensical.
The very opposite of this would be that which is sound, wise, rational, intelligent, balanced, reasonable, moral. This kind of stance/thinking is what identifies evil as evil and good as good. It’s what has held people accountable. It doesn’t redefine meanings and change sound laws. It’s based on truth, not whimsy…reality, not lies.
Crazy, on the other hand, is another story. It elevates that which is wrong and makes a mockery of anything wholesome, true, lovely and pure. It has no regard for and shows no empathy towards others. It causes people and societies to break down. It loosens the reins on wrong behavior and drives a society straight into a Sodom and Gomorrah existence. It casts a dark shadow on anyone and anything that tries to shine forth truth and bring common decency.
Unfortunately, if I had to describe the condition that is taking over our world in one word, it would be crazy. Crazy seems to accompany much of the headlines we see in the news today. Crazy sums up the state of chaos and depravity that our world has sunk to. It elevates the toxic and tries to eradicate the good and that which brings needed healing to so many hurting hearts. Sadly, it’s become the celebrated norm in many circles within our world.
Crazy does not allow for rational thought, soul searching, or respect for those who differ in opinion. It’s devoid of all empathy and clings to all depravity. It is what causes one to abandon all common sense and cling to unrealistic views while closing his/her heart to anything decent, good and moral. Crazy throws caution to the wind and stirs up seeds of destruction.
One of the most defining characteristics of crazy in a society is when people begin to call evil good and good evil. Psalm 52:3 states: “You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth.”
The very act of demonizing good and celebrating evil equates to crazy. And, sadly, in our world, things have gotten to such a state.
The Bible clearly speaks to this in Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 1:4 goes on to say, “Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.”
Ultimately, crazy happens when God is unapologetically dismissed and shown the door.
Anyone willing to turn their back on God, and harden their heart to lusts of the flesh and selfishness can, through time, be given over to a reprobate mind as the Bible conveys in Romans 1:28: “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.”
The further one ventures from what’s good and moral, the more depraved one seems to become. It’s a slippery slope that can quickly lead to dark places and a depraved mindset.
Our society has sunk deeper because so many would rather worship sin than a Savior. We have witnessed over and over many calling evil good and good evil. We have seen the decline happen at record speed and the birth pains the Bible addresses increasing. Given all that’s happening, it seems evident that Jesus’ return is near.
Mark 13:4-8 reminds us: “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”
2 Timothy 3:1-4 states: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
With all the crazy in our own society, it’s no wonder our country is unrecognizable from the beautiful America many of us grew up in. Growing up (and up until recently), I remember when good was called good and evil called evil. There were no shades of gray. I remember people being respected for their points of view and being able to come together peacefully and have a conversation. I remember God being welcomed and our country being richly blessed as a result.
I also remember very vividly the verses that speak to God’s blessing on a nation that welcomes His presence:
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance” (Psalm 33:12).
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Praise God for the promises in these verses and for His promise to bless those who seek Him.
It truly saddens my heart to see things spiral downward, but I am forever thankful that, even in the midst of all the frenzy, our great God is bigger than all the chaos and crazy. My heart is happy and rejoices because believers have the promise that our God has never left us. He continues to guide us, protect us, love us, and hold us through it all. We should all remember we can have peace knowing that He is in control even when everything seems to be spinning out of control.
I’m so thankful we can always come to Him and cling to Him. May He use each of us as instruments of salt and light while we continue praying for the lost to be set free, the blinders broken, and hearts open to the only hope that can rescue. The time feels short while we wait expectantly for the wonderful return of the Savior.
And while many in the world continue celebrating crazy, we’ll continue standing and celebrating Christ.