Passion
Passion pours from the pores of every media pocket these days. No longer do you need a job at the television station to publicly rage. You don’t even need to call a radio talk show to air your grievances. Log into your favorite media / social media platform and strap yourself in because you are in for the emotional ride of your life.
Consider the following list of things that have resulted in people getting all worked up in recent days.
- Deleted Secretary of State emails
- Presidential tweets
- Russian election meddling
- North Korea
- Antifa vs. Alt-right
- Kneeling during the anthem
- Guns
It is interesting that no one is talking about the National Anthem when just a few days ago I couldn’t get away from that story. Everyone is now expressing their views about guns with greater passion than ever. I didn’t know a “bump stock” even existed until this morning. It is amazing what the human heart bent on destruction can engineer. I find it even more amazing how quickly the human heart can evolve in its passions.
In a few days the American public will grow weary of talking about Las Vegas and guns and we will need something new to fuel our passions. Mark my words, we will be provided something new to be passionate about and the masses will descend on social and network media to air their grievances.
Recently I was in Cracker Barrel and Karen was my server. She was a delightful lady that I was blessed with the opportunity to engage. My views on North Korea, guns, or the National Anthem did not matter to her. She was trying to get through her day and earn enough in tips to pay her bills so she could go home without worrying.
You and I encounter people like Karen every day. They live next door. They are in the next cubicle or office. They are sitting beside us at the PTA. They are cheering beside us at the stadium where our kids play. My passion for issues will probably not impact any of their lives.
However, there is a passion that can impact their lives. If my passion for Jesus overcomes all other passions then maybe Karen will see Jesus. If my passion for Jesus overcomes my short-lived attention span for the latest popular issue then maybe Karen will see Jesus. If my passion for Jesus will rock me out of the societal narrative about what latest thing should consume me and help me focus on looking into Karen’s eyes and seeing the person Jesus is passionate about then maybe Karen will see Jesus.
My friends, I don’t get too passionate about stuff in the news because my heart is already filled with a consuming passion. I am passionate about Jesus. I want Jesus today. I want more of Jesus today than I have ever known. I want that passion to shape my thoughts, actions and reactions. Of all the causes I want to give myself to, Jesus is the supreme cause.
Please don’t hear me say that we should not care about any cause. Care all you want. However, we must come to terms with the fact that our passion for Jesus is hard to hear because we seem to be screaming louder about things other than the Messiah. If you seem to care more about causes than Christ, people will know and make their own conclusions about you.
It is my prayer that we would grow in our passion for Christ. It is my prayer that the growing passion for Christ will help us see people like He sees people. It is my prayer that the growing passion for Christ will lead me to intentional ways of loving in His Name. It is my prayer that when culture tries to distract and divide that we are so busy living like Jesus that we won’t have time for competing passions. Grow in your passion for Christ.