FROM PASSIVE TO PASSIONATE

Scripture for the day: Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Thought for the day: Saul sat under a pomegranate tree and did his best to preserve what he still had. Jonathan confronted an entire company of the enemies of Israel because he thought more of what must be done than what must be protected. Jonathan had moved from passive to passionate and nothing would keep him from fulfilling God’s plan for the kingdom. 
 There are so many sincere believers who have asked the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” expecting the Lord to provide a road map with the entire journey outlined in red. So many want all the details worked out in advance, with GPS locations provided when the Lord has simply said, “Go, and while you’re on your way, make disciples.” Let’s be honest, most of us would have told Abraham he was unstable when he packed his camels and headed west just because God told him to move. He had no idea where he was going and, when he got there, he had no idea where he was. The direction of God to go was all he needed.
 I remember a friend trying to decide which direction God wanted him to go. He had just finished Bible college and had all the tools, talents and gifts needed. He had offers from several churches but didn’t know which one the Lord wanted him to accept. My friend literally became paralyzed by fear of making the wrong move. Finally, in desperation, he asked advice from a trusted professor. The professor asked, “Is your wife the only woman you could have married and been happy?”
 “Well, no, I suppose not,” he answered.
 “Then stop worrying and choose.” The man went to the church that appealed to him the most and, to the best of my knowledge, did a fine job. Remember, when we fail to choose, we choose to fail. It’s not enough to have nothing to be ashamed of, we must also avoid being ashamed that we done nothing.
 If the church is to survive, if we as Christians are going to make any progress, we must willingly move from passive to passionate. It’s time to get off the sidelines and into the game. It’s time to cast aside the fear of getting hurt and begin playing for the championship. Fear paralyzes; passion motivates. Passion doesn’t go against God’s purpose; passion is fueled by God’s purpose. Without passion we risk becoming apathetic. I believe there is a direct connection between passion and progress. 
 Few things are more inspiring than a life lived with passion. It’s not about gifts, intelligence, talent or all the other things we’ve convinced ourselves we need. It’s about moving out into the wilderness, getting out of neutral and getting it in gear. In every movement, someone went first. Now, this may seem insane to some but, considering the alternatives, I choose insanity.
 God never promised full disclosure; He tends to operate on a need-to-know basis. He has shown us what needs to be done and will clarify what He’s shown us only in the midst of obedience. Some wise sage once said, “It’s better to try to tame a wild stallion than to ride a dead horse.” Amen! the question is; which will we decide to be? 
    It may seem insane to us to step out in faith as we’re called to do, but we must remember that Jesus said, “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it; whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” While everyone else slept, Jonathan woke up. Perhaps he was a bit insane to think he might be able to make a difference. Perhaps it’s insane to think we can, but if normal is defined as waking up each day and just trying to make it through until nightfall, I choose abnormal. I choose to wake up each day and ask, “What can I do to make a difference before the sun goes down?” “Who does God want to bless by my attitude or actions? Whose life can I impact with the love of Christ?” I choose to say with Jonathan, “Come, let us go.”
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill