Passive Or Passionate?

“And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?”

(2 Kings 7:3)

Passion can make the difference between life or death, progression or digression, miracle or mediocrity. Passive people accept things the way they are. Passionate people are willing to risk comfort to experience change. Passive people give up - passionate people press on.

Sometimes desperation renders passion. In desperation the four lepers said one to another: “Why sit we here until we die?” The passive person asks, “Why?” - The passionate person asks “Why not?” Passivity will put a church in a rut. Passion will put a church in revival. Passivity will turn a sanctuary into a mortuary. Passion for God will bring the Presence of God. Passivity can result in falling away from God. Passion can result in going after God. Passion will take you from routine to radical.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.” Do what you do with passion! Jesus said, “Let your light SO shine before men that they may see your Good works and glorify your Father”. Do not just let your light shine…let it SO shine. We need not be ashamed about being passionate, extreme and extravagant for God. Author Norman Cousins said, “Death isn’t the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is when something dies in us while we live.”

There are a lot of things that work against our passion for doing what God has called us to do. Adversity and failure can zap your zeal. Sometimes it may seem as if we take one step forward and three steps backward. On-going opposition and ridicule can take its toll on any leader. The promises of God’s Word will preserve and perpetuate our passion for God. Jeremiah the prophet said, “Thy Words were found and I did eat them, and thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” It is still true: Greater Is He That Is In You Than He That Is In The World! May the Lord help us to be ever passionate in our pursuit of God, passionate in our praise and passionate in following His plan and purpose for our life.