|
What's Your Passion?
by Karin Paparelli
What is your passion? What is it that makes your heart pound and your
knees go weak? Where would you really like to be? Your passion is what
really gets you going. It is what enables you to keep pressing in even
after you've failed time and time again. Often your passion will dictate
your priorities. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also" (Luke 12:34). I can tell you what I'm not passionate
about. I don't like cleaning. I love a clean & orderly home, but I
have a hard time justifying the time required to get it that way and then
maintain it. I could spend all day scrubbing and scouring and never even
leave the kitchen! No eternal value there! When you think about it, we
only have 24 hours each day, so what are you going to do with them? I
believe that we will make time for those things that we think are important.
We plan our days based on our priorities. What determines those priorities
in your life?
Have you ever given serious thought to how you order your day, or does
it just happen to you? When you're making plans for your week do you leave
flex time for Holy Spirit adjustments? Who's life is it anyway? Your's
or Christ's? When we give our lives to Jesus and ask Him to be our Lord,
we invite Him to reorder our agendas. Everything is subject to change
without prior notice! We can say we're following Jesus and we're submitted
under His Lordship, but without passion what is the good in it? How will
you press on in hard times if you do not have a passion for your Lord?
It is not enough to simply be obedient. Jesus asks for more.
Passion. What is passion? It is a strong desire, yearning, zeal, a driving
force that propels us toward that which we are passionate for. Interestingly,
antonyms for passion are apathy and indifference. Are you passionate about
Jesus? Do you long to know Him more? Are you zealous to see His kingdom
come? Do you yearn for Him more and more everyday? If you answered yes,
Praise the Lord! That passion you have is most likely apparent to others
and I'm sure you are a walking witness for Christ. If your answer was
no, do not fret it is not a permanent condition. But you don't want to
linger in apathy either. Jesus said, "I know your deeds that you
are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were either one or the other! So,
because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out
of my mouth" (Rev 3:15,16). Careful, Jesus was talking to the Church
not unbelievers.
So, how do you become passionate for the Lord? I believe it begins in
worship, private worship. Not the kind we participate in on Sunday morning
with a room full of believers. No, it is time to get alone, just you and
your creator. The created worshiping the creator. God of the universe
has chosen us as His children. We are the apple of His eye, His prize
possession! Let yourself truly imagine God on the throne in all His majesty,
with angels all around worshiping Him and singing praises to Him. Now
think of Him leaving the glory and grandeur of heaven and taking on the
form of man in order to redeem us. Think of His incredible love for us.
Then Calvary, the cross, the grave and the victory. And now Jesus the
bridegroom, awaiting in anticipation for His spotless bride, the church.
He is so much to worship. To bow down before! The great wonder and awe
of Almighty God! The gentle, merciful loving Jesus! The wise and patient
Holy Spirit. Are you starting to get a glimpse? Now take all of these
images and any others that may come and hold them close to your heart.
Now you are ready to worship God.
Find a quiet, lonely place and pour out all your love for Him. Sing to
Him. Speak to Him. Lay silent before Him. Reverence Him. Adore Him. Give
Him your full attention. Spend as much time as needed, until you feel
His presence with you. Don't be rushed, take your time. This is God remember.
As you feel His presence fill your room, you won't want to leave. And
you'll be anxious to meet with Him again, not wanting to be apart. Let
Him quench your thirst as only He can.
Now what is your passion? Is it Him? Is it worshiping Him? Is it living
to do his will? Is it loving those He loves? Whose life is it now? Your's
or Christ's? Are you ready to give it all to the one who gave it all for
you? Now who will order your day?
May you walk in His grace. Thy Kingdom Come!
|