I was reading a devotional by Matt Redmond and in it was a great definition of passion:
“Passion is the degree of difficulty we’re willing to go to achieve the goal.”
Hmmm . . . that doesn't sound like a fleeting emotion. It sounds much more like a serious committment!
Take a look at Hebrews 12:1-3
Do
you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all
these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it.
Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no
parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished
this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of
where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could
put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's
there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find
yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by
item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot
adrenaline into your souls!
I am grateful that the Lord created us in His image so that we, too, can be passionate people, like our Lord. His passion for us took Him right to the cross. I don't know about you, but I just get weary sometimes. There are hard things going on around me and I can get discouraged and even lose hope in some situations. This passage reminds me that Jesus died so that I don't have to give in to discouragement or hopelessness.
Matt Redmond goes on to say: "A freedom song is never far from the lips of a worshipper of Jesus.
We are the forgiven- those set free from the chains of well-deserved sin
and shame. And we are the living- those raised up to life again in the
power of Christ. These are not just empty religious mantras we sing.
They are living, breathing truths that shape every moment of our lives.
And because of that, our cries of freedom will never grow old, or become
stale.
Most passions in this world come and go. We’ll get excited about the latest trend or some new idea, and that’s great. But in all likelihood that enthusiasm will fade over time, be extinguished by some obstacle or another- or be replaced by another passion altogether. This should not be so when it comes to our salvation. The song of the saved must outlive and outburn all other passions. For we were dead, and now we’re alive. We were condemned by our shame, and now we live eternally, forgiven and free. The heart that knows these things can make it through even the darkest night with that fire still burning brightly on the inside.
Passion is way more than an emotion or a feeling, though it may involve these things. It is far more than bubble, sparkle, or excitement. Passion is a gritty kind of love, a tough and optimistic enthusiasm that overcomes negativity and inconvenience to make it through to the end. Of course, the best ever example of this is the passion of Jesus Christ at the cross. Devoted to His Father’s will and spurred on by love for the world, Jesus took the agony of Calvary upon Himself.
Hebrews 12:2 puts it so powerfully:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame…”
This is true passion. Let our lives and songs be marked by more than just a temporary effervescence or excitement. Let us burn with a holy, enduring passion that day after day brings glory to the One who set us free." Thank you, Matt!
Today - I am thankful that I have a passionate Lord who loves me with a sacrificial love and gives me the ability to live for Him with true passion. I am grateful that when I am weak - He is strong. I am grateful that when I am discouraged - He is hope. I am grateful that when things don't make sense - He has a plan. I am grateful that when things get hard - He is my perseverance and strength.
Maybe your feel like your passion is a small flame.
Maybe your passion is burning full force .
Be willing to give the Lord what you have and allow Him to fan the flame.
I am grateful that my life burns with a passion for Jesus and I pray that my passion for Him will be ever increasing as I press on through the difficulties of life to know Him more.
Most passions in this world come and go. We’ll get excited about the latest trend or some new idea, and that’s great. But in all likelihood that enthusiasm will fade over time, be extinguished by some obstacle or another- or be replaced by another passion altogether. This should not be so when it comes to our salvation. The song of the saved must outlive and outburn all other passions. For we were dead, and now we’re alive. We were condemned by our shame, and now we live eternally, forgiven and free. The heart that knows these things can make it through even the darkest night with that fire still burning brightly on the inside.
Passion is way more than an emotion or a feeling, though it may involve these things. It is far more than bubble, sparkle, or excitement. Passion is a gritty kind of love, a tough and optimistic enthusiasm that overcomes negativity and inconvenience to make it through to the end. Of course, the best ever example of this is the passion of Jesus Christ at the cross. Devoted to His Father’s will and spurred on by love for the world, Jesus took the agony of Calvary upon Himself.
Hebrews 12:2 puts it so powerfully:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame…”
This is true passion. Let our lives and songs be marked by more than just a temporary effervescence or excitement. Let us burn with a holy, enduring passion that day after day brings glory to the One who set us free." Thank you, Matt!
Today - I am thankful that I have a passionate Lord who loves me with a sacrificial love and gives me the ability to live for Him with true passion. I am grateful that when I am weak - He is strong. I am grateful that when I am discouraged - He is hope. I am grateful that when things don't make sense - He has a plan. I am grateful that when things get hard - He is my perseverance and strength.
Maybe your feel like your passion is a small flame.
Maybe your passion is burning full force .
I am grateful that my life burns with a passion for Jesus and I pray that my passion for Him will be ever increasing as I press on through the difficulties of life to know Him more.
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