The greatest story ever told is that “God so loved the world that that He gave His only Son that anyone who believes in Jesus should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That is God’s story. But, there is another important story that needs to be told…it’s YOUR story. It’s the story that says, “Jesus loves me… and He changed my life.” It is through stories like yours that people see Jesus in our lives.
So, what do you think that it is that keeps people from seeing God in us? I believe it is a lack of passion. But, not just any kind of passion. I’m talking about a “crazy” kind of passion…the kind of passion for a “with God” life that plunges us into His love, His grace, and His mercy! It is a crazy passion that trusts God with a faith that says, “With God, I cannot fail.”
Francis Chan said this in his book, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, “…when we love God, we naturally run to Him-frequently and zealously. Jesus didn't command that we have a regular time with Him each day. Rather, He tells us to 'love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' He called this the 'first and greatest commandment' (Matthew 22:37-38). The results are intimate prayer and study of His Word. Our motivation changes from guilt to love.” That is the kind of “crazy” passion for God that shows in our lives!
One of the sports I really enjoy is college basketball. I like the fast pace and excitement of the game. But, have you ever been to a basketball game when the home team was behind by 15 points. Everybody’s head is just sort of going from side to side…watching the ball move up and down the court…no excitement. But the moment the other team…makes a few sloppy plays…and your team scores on a few quick turnovers…and hits three 3 point shots in a row,…all of a sudden the entire side comes alive with a passion that you can feel! Everybody is of one mind… cheering the team on! People who were quietly sitting down, all of sudden are jumping up and down. They have passion, …a “crazy” passion…because they have a story to tell! Their story is “Look where we WERE, …. but now, look where we ARE!” They are expecting to win!
There are very few things that have hurt the greatest story ever told MORE…than people telling it, or trying to live it….with no passion. I read a recent survey on churches that said,…75% of churches are declining or dying….24% of churches are growing, but they’re basically getting members (stealing sheep) from other churches…sort of a like a saint's musical chairs. The sobering statistic is that only 1% of all churches are growing by reaching people who have never heard of having a relationship with Christ.
Jesus said He came to “seek and to save those who were lost.” The challenge before us today is,… do we want to be a part of the 1% that’s doing what Jesus commanded His church to do? Because in order to do it,…. we are going to need a passion for God. A “CRAZY” kind of a passion.
So, what is it that you feel passionate about? What really grips at your heart so much that you’re passionate about it? Is it Jesus? Are you crazy passionate for Jesus? There are some things in life that we are going to have to be passionate about if God is to be popping out of our lives so Jesus Christ can be seen. The question for us is…Can you get a little crazy for Jesus? Can you have a “crazy passion” for Him… the kind that holds nothing back? Why not talk to him about it… and ask Him to light that fire of passion in you.
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