Critical Ministry Memories #2: Passion.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #2: Passion. There’s an element that can easily be lost in the everyday shuffle of ministry life. We can find it so natural to fall into the trap of “routine.” We have our schedules, and those schedules are usually pretty full. So in the hustle and bustle of jumping from one thing to the next in our Dayplanner or Blackberry, we can easily find ourselves simply going through the motions. But this is not at all what God intends.
When we fall into the rut of simply going through the motions we are letting this thing called passion slip away. The reality of the brokenness around us each day should feed something within us. As we see the lost and dying world – the shattered lives of people without God and without hope – it should trigger something inside. The routine – the rut – protects us from ever feeling that. It’s the safety measure that insures that our life is comfortable and safe.
Oh but friend: God’s plan is so much bigger than “comfortable” and “safe.” When He calls us to Himself and the ministry He has planned for us, He desires us to be driven forward into that lost and broken world by a passion to see lives restored for His fame and glory! He wants our hearts to be heavy over the condition around us. He wants that heaviness to drive us to a passion to see it remedied in them. We know the answer to everything ailing the world, church: it’s the Gospel.
It’s like having the cure for cancer and simply watching people all around us die of it while never opening our mouth. It’s like knowing the bridge is out ahead and everyone that continues driving will plunge to their death, yet we simply stand and wave hello as people drive by headed towards it. It’s a tragic reality that we find ourselves in today. We not only know that people are dying, but we know what awaits them afterwards. Yet here we are, watching them run around headed for destruction and never opening our mouth to give them the answer.
But when we remember passion – when we possess the drive of the Holy Spirit of God within us – that’s going to change who we are. Passion will push us to share Him. Passion will push us to live differently. Passion will push us to keep going even when we are exhausted. Passion will remind us that life is short, people are dying, we have the answer, and we’ve got to share it. Without passion, we are robots not accomplishing anything lasting for the glory of Christ.
Remember passion today. Ask God to ignite you from the inside out.



That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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