Where Is Our Passion?

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12 (NIV)

Being in the presence of someone who has maintained their excitement and passion for God is such an encouragement to me. The sad thing is these encounters are extremely few and far between. Why is it that so many Christians seem to be living with a passion for something other than Christ? How is it possible that the creator of this universe, who sacrificed his only son for the sins of this world, seems to be an after thought?

Zeal and fervor are words that are not used much today. They are basically, a burning intensity of an emotion for something, an eager desire, or to be enthusiastic about. God has given us so much to be excited about. He created us, not because he had to but because he wanted to. He loves us, not because of something we have done, he just does, and he does unconditionally. Christ died, not because he deserved death but so we could be saved from it. 1 John 1:9 says "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (NIV) Is it that we are too familiar with these words to stop and actually take them in? How are we anything less than ecstatic about this?

I have meet Christians who truly do have a burning intensity to serve as a Sunday school teacher, an eager desire to share the gospel with a friend, and who are just enthusiastic about what Christ has done for them. They are also joyful, patient, and extremely faithful in prayer. And after spending any amount of time with them, a conversation with a lukewarm Christian seems so dull and pointless. Living in the society we do makes it hard to stay focused, but that is no excuse. There is nothing more important in this temporal life to be passionate about then Christ.

Father, help us to burn with passion for you, and be a light for the lost. Thank you for all your greatness, mercy, and love.

Sarah Hostetler