WE SEEK GOD’S PASSION FOR OUR LIVES
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What is your passion in life? What inspires you to truly live your life? Does your passion align with God’s passion?
“The most crucial danger to a Christian… is to lack a passion of Christ.” – Wesley Duewel, Missionary –
Passion inspires our lives. Passion motivates us to be the best we can be… to make the greatest use of our time… to do the most we can with our lives. It is the driving force that impels us… the focus that energizes us. It is never too late to discover the passion that God has placed in your heart.
Passion keeps our life in focus. Photography requires focus. Before we take a photo, we make sure that our subject is sharp and clear. A blurry, out of focus photo is of little use. Yet when we take time to sharpen the focus… to zoom in on the subject… we catch the perfect shot.
Have you lost the focus of your life? Has your life become a blur of moments, days and years? Has your passion been eroded away by the cares, concerns and distractions of life?
The life of Jesus was driven by passion. All throughout His time of ministry, He was passionate and focused. He had a goal, an aim, a mission. He lived out His life with intent and clarity.
“The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.” – Luke 3:2
We see the same undivided passion and focus in John the Baptist. This prophet lived a life of isolation… separated from the world and separated unto God. He knew He had a calling… a mission in life. This became his passion for living.
By all appearances, John the Baptist did not look like one anointed by God. Living in the wilderness of Judea, his apparel was of camel’s hair adorned with a leather belt. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. Yet God had endowed him with power from on high.
“I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” – John 1:23 (Isaiah 40:3)
John had a passion in life… a driving force. His passion aligned with God’s passion. He desired to so follow God’s will that all other pursuits were out of focus for him. His focus was God-centered… to announce the coming of the Messiah.
Isaiah prophesied about this man of God. John the Baptist was the voice in the wilderness… privileged with the high calling of preparing the way for the Messiah. He would call all to repentance… to make ready their hearts to accept the Holy One of God.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” – Matthew 3:2
John initiated a spiritual revival among the people. He called them to change the course of their lives… to reevaluate the road they had been traveling. He exhorted them to break down any hindrances that would keep them from welcoming the message of salvation. Leaving their past behind… putting aside their doubts and fears… they could be open to receiving their Savior.
People were drawn to this man of passion who spoke with power and authority. John challenged them to repent and turn from their sinful ways. He opened their eyes to the sin in their lives and their desperate need for a Savior. As a symbol of their spiritual cleansing, he baptized the people in the waters of the Jordan River
“One who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” – Luke 3:16
John’s character balanced both strength and humility. He kept the focus of His message upon the coming Messiah. John’s baptism was one with water… yet the Savior of the world would come and baptize with the power of the Holy Spirit.
John was content for his ministry to fade in importance as Jesus entered the scene. John’s passion had brought him great joy. He had successfully paved the way for the Son of God to come and change the world.
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” – Matthew 11:11
Jesus commended John the Baptist, calling him the greatest of all the prophets. For John had fulfilled his mission in life… his God-given passion. He had made ready the hearts of the people for their Savior.
Do you long to discover the passion God has placed in your heart? Is it your heart’s desire to live your life like John the Baptist with a focus… a passion that aligns with God?
Take time to seek God’s passion in your life. Take your focus off the griefs of the past… the cares of the present… the fears of the future. Step back from the busyness and distractions of the world that cause your life to be out of focus. Ask God to anoint you to live out His perfect will and passion in your life. For this is what He created you to do.
