Passion

Isn’t it interesting that in many circles the term “passion” seems to have a negative connotation? Passion sometimes infers a lack of control, or recklessness.

Yet the greatest sacrifice of all time is often referred to as the “Passion of the Christ!” The example of Christ’s death on the cross creates images of His suffering and the agony of His death. Most of us think of that sacrifice as the “passion” He shared as an element of His human-ness. While true, I think the greater passion was in His love for mankind; that His love was so great, so pure, so intense, that He would willingly allow Himself to be humiliated, bruised, and finally crucified, when He had the power to easily save Himself. I believe that love for us was the real “passion” of the Christ.

God has called us to be a passionate people. He desires us to be “on fire” to serve Him and do His will with our very lives. The scriptures speak to the passion Christ showed in the temple when he overturned the tables of the money-changers (Matthew 21:12). They tell the story of how He wept when he learned of Lazarus’ death (John 11:35). He was a great orator who captured the hearts and minds of the people He spoke to, everywhere He went. All of these speak to a man who was passionate and compelling and purposeful.

Here are a few great quotations:

“A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”
- John Maxwell (American Author)

“Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.”
- Hebbel (German Poet 1813-1863)

“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.”
- Angela Monet

How passionate are you?

Can you still hear “the music” in your life?

How passionate is your walk with God?

Are you still “on fire” for the gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission?

Are you still on fire for your family? Your job? Your lifestyle? The place you live? The friends you associate with?

Do you still have a passion for LIFE?

When our passion fades, our dreams die. Today, choose to dream again. Search the heart of God and find the thing He has called you to do. Then grab onto that dream with both fists. Embrace it will all your heart, all of your mind and all of your physical being. Let your passion to change and become all that God has called you to ignite the fire within!

It’s time to choose to live again.