From time to time growing up in Orange County California in the 80’s and 90’s I heard the phrase “Crazy Christians” used to define “those” people who were super committed to their faith and willing to do anything to share it with the world.  They were the really sold out ones, the “on fire” group that just seemed over the top about Jesus.  They were the Crazy Christians and I am not sure where “they” have gone and why they seemed so “crazy.”

I hadn’t thought about the phrase in a long time and then I watched a television show called Whale Wars on the Discovery Channel.  If you haven’t seen it, the show chronicles the efforts of the Non-Profit Sea Shepherd to track and interfere with Japanese whaling ships in the south sea.  If you watch the show what you will see is a group of people passionately committed to saving whales, so much so that they are willing to sink ships, risk death and arrest, and sacrifice their lives for the whales – literally.  In fact, the leader of the organization asks each new crew member a simple question: “Are you willing to give your life for a whale?”

Stop and think about that question and more importantly the fact that people are lined up to serve on the crew of his boats who emphatically answer yes.

This isn’t a commentary on Sea Shepherd.  I have actually met Captain Paul Watson at an event and have had a number of conversations with leaders of the organization about their ideas and pursuits.  They are passionate, committed, and focused.  They know what they want people to do and they are willing to do anything to make their impact on the world.  And if you think about it, the Sea Shepherd folks are just one example of a passionately committed group.  Think about green peace or gay marriage proponents or AIDS activists – committed.  Or brain surgeons, white house staff, and professional athletes, inner city teachers – committed.

This world is full of hyper-committed, call them crazy, groups of passionate individuals, single minded in their desire and devotion to impacting the world.  But are Christians still one of them?

For most of us the pursuit of Christ and passionate exercise of our faith falls somewhere in the priority list between family and free time.  We are passionate about our careers and families, our futures and goals.  We focus on Christ, but are we crazy?  Do we have the same single minded devotion to Him as the crew of Whale Wars has to each and every whale?

My first reaction to Whale Wars was – insane.  That anyone who would be that committed to the life of a whale and value it over theirs must be insane.  But then I looked at myself and had to ask, “Would anyone consider my devotion to Christ insane or am I just not that crazy?”

Pictures from Animal Planet Whale Wars Page: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/about/